The area around Augusta is rich in Native American history. We know Osage were here at least until the 1860s but we're also learning more about the Wichita who were here much earlier. I know there are a lot of people who enjoy the hunt and adrenalin rush of finding arrowheads, knife blades, scrapers and pottery. Several people have collected these artifacts for many years. So, what do you do with your collection?
Your collection is important to you, but it's also important to our community. Artifacts tell stories and most will never be known without careful recording and study. The information that can be collected from artifacts from a site is valuable to educating us about the past, our past. This information is more important than even the artistic or monetary value a collection might possess.
So what are your responsibilities? How do you care for you collection? Are there legal issues? Should you donate your collection? All these questions can be answered in an informative brochure that we have at the Museum entitled "Preserving Private Archaeological Collections for Future Generations". We should have brochures available by Thursday July 21st. If you are not able to come in and get one I would be happy to mail you a brochure.
