A Wisconsin man using a metal detector as a hobby unearthed a surprising historical artifact: an ancient spear tip, according to a report Saturday.
Dick Banaszak, a 65-year-old public works worker, discovered a 3,000-year-old Copper Culture spear point along the Root River in Racine. NewsweekThis discovery is particularly noteworthy because it is located in the southernmost part of the Great Lakes region and such discoveries are rare. (Related article: Archaeologists discover 3,600-year-old weapons and other artifacts)
Banaszak found the spear tip while using a metal detector, a hobby he's enjoyed for 30 years. “I sat under a tree,” he told Newsweek. “I just sat there picking up dirt and thought, 'Wow, this is thousands of years old. Amazing, and now I have it in my hand.'”
The man reportedly took the spear tip to a local university's archaeology department, which confirmed the artifact was a socketed spear tip with a haft.
Retiree discovers 3,000-year-old spear tip in Wisconsin.
https://t.co/u21GXxYLLx— Murf (@MurfAD) August 10, 2024
Archaeologists made another significant discovery in Wisconsin in May. Milwaukee Journal SentinelTen 4,500-year-old dugout canoes have been excavated in Lake Mendota. The first two were discovered in 2021 and 2022, leading to further searches in the area. Researchers recently discovered the remaining eight. The discoveries indicate that the lake was once an important place for ancient people, and they represent different periods, including the Late Archaic, Middle Woodland and Late Woodland periods, the media noted.
Banaszak plans to pass the tip of the spear on to his son, who has a hobby of metal detecting: “It's something I'm pretty passionate about, and I'm happy that other people can enjoy the things I love,” Banaszak told Newsweek.
