My Best Axe	by Steve Valentine
Central States Archaeological Societies 2026 April Journal	Wheelersburg, Ohio

This is the story of the best axe I have ever found (Fig. 1) and a very lucky and opportunistic find. I was working security at a local chemical plant and I had to go to Huntington, WV, to upgrade my security clearance. On the way I remembered a site that was only about 15 minutes from my destination, so I decided to drive up there and see if it had been plowed. Luck was on my side, as it had been. Plus, recently we had a decent rain, so I thought I would give it a shot.

I had only hunted this site on one other occasion with my brother, so I called him to see where the best spots were. He said to go in the gate and then head to the left corner. He mentioned that was where he had found some nice pieces. I headed that direction.

Within 20 minutes I found a small damaged point and a scraper. As I headed towards the corner he mentioned, I saw something green about 25 or 30 feet away. I and immediately thought celt (Fig. 2). I took a photo. But once I got closer and saw that it was an axe, I took some pictures (Fig. 3) and just stood back and looked at it for a few minutes.

Once I pulled it out of the ground I actually...

 

Read the complete "My Best Axe" column in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2026 April Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2026