I haven't found too many artifacts around here, just a spear point. What is interesting about the spear

                point is my father found one almost exactly like it, except about 10 years earlier. The other artifacts I have

                were found at a 350 year manor house I had the privilege of house-sitting in the early 90's. As a result, I've

                decided to broaden my definition of "artifact" to include objects starting 40-50 years ago and not necessarily from

                my house or property. I guess I justify including them because they are, in a way, artifacts of a time and lifestyle that

                is no more than a dying memory.

                Think about it, we're rapidly losing a generation of oral history that once it's gone is gone forever. I've found

                that the elderly are happy to talk about their experiences. I made one WWII veterans day when I noticed the

                hat he was wearing had a picture of a P-47 Thunderbolt on it. I walked over to him and said "Excuse me  but I noticed

                your hat, were you a Thunderbolt driver?" (he looked about the right age) His eyes just lit up...he said he was

                surprised that "someone your age" even knows what a P-47 was. It turns out he flew ground support for

                none other than George Patton himself! We had a very animated conversation that was aided by the fact

                I'm quite familiar with WWII in Europe. After about 20 minutes, my boss came over and said "I'm sorry to

                break this up but.........". Like I said, if you notice something as simple as a hat with an airplane on it,

                just ask the wearer about it! It may just make his or her and your day.