State reports rare archaeological find [View all]

Obsidian pieces found by a Willamette Valley landowner have been identified as a collection of Native American artifacts currently estimated to be 1,000-4,000 years old, according to a press release from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The landowner has asked that his name not be shared.

The cache of 15 artifacts, called bifaces, is important for several reasons, said Assistant State Archaeologist John Pouley with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.

"For starters, we wouldn't know the site existed if the landowner hadn't reached out to our office to report the find," Pouley said. "Aside from the importance of his stewardship, the biface cache is additionally a rare type of archaeological site.

Read more: http://www.gazettetimes.com/lebanon/news/local/state-reports-rare-archaeological-find/article_cbf0bb81-83cf-5265-84b9-5566d049b5d8.html