The Story of the Red Moon Cumberland	by Jacob Tucker
Central States Archaeological Societies 2025 October Journal	Nettleton, Mississippi

This excerpt from "The Story of the Red Moon Cumberland" published in the 2025 Central States Archaeological Societies 2025 October Journal Read the complete column in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2025 October Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2026

Figure 1. Three views of the perfect 4 ?” fluted Cumberland point found by Charles Hardy. This article originally appeared in the Magnolia Archaeological Society Newsletter. Collection of theTim Guyse, Courtland, Alabama

Probably the most iconic of all eastern American Indian artifacts are large, finely made Cumberland points. Examples like the 6?” (Charles) Moore Cumberland that was found in Colbert County, Alabama in 1963, and the “Christmas Star” found by a diver in the Tennessee River in the 1990s, are widely acclaimed as gems of ancient lithic craftsmanship. They are especially noteworthy for their outstanding flaking and fluting, often nearly to the tip on at least one side. When Cumberland points of such quality are exhibited they steal the show. Only rarely does a new point of such caliber appear.

Such was the occurrence at the January 18, 2025 St Joseph, Tennessee artifact show. An outstanding 4 ?” fluted Cumberland point made from beautifully brown patinated Fort Payne chert (Figs 1-3) was brought in as the personal find of an occasional hunter and casual collector named Charles Hardy.

Charles related the story of its discovery to me as follows: A friend of Charles’ was recently digging a pond in front of his house that is near Four Mile Creek in Limestone County, Alabama. Charles heard rumors that some arrowheads had been found in the excavations. He had just enough interest in relics to approach his friend and ask for permission to look for himself. After work on September 19, 2024, Charles, for the second time, asked the friend if he could look around the site for arrowheads. The response this time was, “OK, but you gotta give me whatever you find. Not expecting to find much anyway." Charles agreed. This was after work so daylight was soon fading. As darkness fell upon the site Charles discovered that the bright moonlight of the Red (or blood) Moon of the season provided enough light for him to look on just a while. In fact, he noticed that flint was shining or glistening by the light of the moon. Just as Charles was calling it quits and heading back to his friend’s house he spotted...

 

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