Hidden underground for potentially over 12,000 years, two ancient spearhead fragments were recently uncovered by chance on a dairy farm in Paris, Ontario.
Laura Vellenga stumbled upon what is believed to be parts of an ancient spearhead, describing the find as a unique and remarkable discovery.
Upon discovering the two light grey flint pieces, Vellenga immediately recognized their human-made characteristics and intricate craftsmanship, noting the rarity of the find in a cornfield about a kilometer away from the farm’s main house.
The two pieces, when connected, form a roughly seven-centimeter-long piece, leading Vellenga to speculate about the possible existence of a third piece that could complete the spearhead.
While working on the farm with her husband, Mike Vellenga, Laura found the fragments as Mike’s ATV struck a hard object in the soil, initially mistaking it for plastic.
Recognizing the significance of the find, the Vellengas sought out an archaeology expert to learn more about the ancient artifacts.
Laura expressed her excitement about holding an object crafted by a human over 13,000 years ago, highlighting the stark differences in the world during the last ice age compared to the present day.
To gain insights into the rare find, the Vellenga family consulted Christopher Ellis, a renowned expert in Paleo and Archaic archaeology from the Great Lakes region.
Ellis, a professor emeritus at Western University, identified the spearhead style as characteristic of Ontario’s oldest documented inhabitants, dating it back to around 10,000 BC.
Describing the rarity of the find, Ellis emphasized the scarcity of fluted point spear tips like the one discovered by the Vellengas.
Ellis noted that the spearhead was crafted from chert flint rock, a material not naturally occurring in the farm’s vicinity but sourced from Ohio, suggesting long-distance trade and interaction among ancient hunter-gatherer communities.
He explained the meticulous craftsmanship required to shape the spearhead, highlighting the artisans’ dedication to selecting high-quality raw materials and creating aesthetically pleasing tools.