Metal Detecting an Overhang

A week ago, Kathy and I found a nice overhang overlooking a creek. There are smoke stains on the walls and ceilings, and no doubt people have used it for shelter for thousands of years. I decided to take the dogs for a walk and run a metal detector inside the shelter and around the opening. About five minutes into the hike, I spotted this.



A pretty red scraper. It was near some old home sites. The people who once lived in the homes that are now gone picked the same spot to live that the Native Americans who left this scraper chose - high, flat ground over water.



I picked up some chips and flakes on the way to the overhang and found this big tool next to a small creek.





And very close to that one, this hammerstone.



There are peck marks on both ends and on the sides. Since I was carrying a detector, I left the tools where I found them.



Twenty minutes later I was at the creek that I was looking for.



The creek from the overhang. This would have been a great place to spend a few hours or days. Still is.



I ran the detector over the area...



.. and got a good signal. Did someone die before they could retrieve their treasure? I removed the leaves, brushed away the dirt ... and found a very old shovel with a homemade handle.



Someone a long time ago had the same idea that did. Since they left the shovel, they must have been planning on coming back to dig some more.

I scanned the ground with the detector for another few minutes and found this very old spam can.



The word "SPAM" is barely readable. Spam debuted in 1937, so it's not any older than that.

I took the shovel home and used it as a garden decoration.