Recently, I wrote about the history of the smallmouth bass introduction in the BWCA on my Substack (thanks for reading!), and a few questions came in. One of them wondered about the ethics of finding what might be an historical object in the BWCA while on the trail -- perhaps something hundreds of years old, like a brass button or a belt buckle. Here is what I came up with for an answer, with the help of the USFS.

Finding relics in the BWCA

Just a Bit Outside Substack

If I found something cool like an arrowhead, it's going home. We find them here in PA after fields are tilled and spring rains and they always go home. Why not?

In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future.

Not trying to dissuade people from sharing new stuff (or even stuff they may have previously shared) but, there is a bunch of this type of stuff mentioned in the Cool spots in canoe country forum.

A prime example. Artifacts thread

Maybe not relics… but some interesting finds this year I elected to pack out. The mule cup I just happened to notice something shiny about 2 feet under the water on a rock shelf on LLC. Also, I didn’t know there were avocado trees in the BW.

At one time, a long time ago, I was considering writing a book regarding artifacts in the BWCA. I even met with the Forest Service to discuss this endeavor and learn about the sources of information and legal parameters that I would have to follow regarding publication of a book like this. The Forest Service was (rightfully) very concerned about publication of such a book. They were very clear that taking any archaeological relics from the BWCA was a violation of federal law and that they would prosecute. They also said that there are several thousand sites mapped by the Forest Service that contain relics or other interesting items. He said that list is not public and that the federal Freedom of Information Act does not apply to the list. In other words, you can't file a FOIA request to obtain the list.

I took a step back and thought about it: sure, a book could be written. But people, being who they are, will simply walk away with anything they can find. At the time, I wasn't thinking through the consequences of such a publication and I now realize how much damage my actions could have caused.

So now I just have my list and I consult it when I go up north and find cool things in the woods.

Mike

Crappiekillah: "If I found something cool like an arrow head,it's going home.We find them here in Pa after fields are tilled and spring rains and they always go home,why not."

We found an arrowhead in the Sierra Nevada mountains while having lunch. We picked it up looked at it and put in right back where we found it.

Why not, depending on who administers the land, you may be violating the law.

ARPA Archeological Resource Protection Act.

egknuti: "In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future."

True that.
That's why I make a point of littering

just kidding.

MikeinMpls: "At one time, a long time ago, I was considering writing a book regarding artifacts in the BWCA. I even met with the Forest Service to discuss this endeavor and learn about the sources of information and legal parameters that I would have to follow regarding publication of a book like this. The Forest Service was (rightfully) very concerned about publication of such a book. They were very clear that taking any archaeological relics from the BWCA was a violation of federal law and that they would prosecute. They also said that there are several thousand sites mapped by the Forest Service that contain relics or other interesting items. He said that list is not public and that the federal Freedom of Information Act does not apply to the list. In other words, you can't file a FOIA request to obtain the list.


I took a step back and thought about it: sure, a book could be written. But people, being who they are, will simply walk away with anything they can find. At the time, I wasn't thinking through the consequences of such a publication and I now realize how much damage my actions could have caused.


So now I just have my list and I consult it when I go up north and find cool things in the woods.


Mike
"

Mike: I appreciate your conscientiousness! I've decided to be 'quiet' about locations where I find artifacts for the same reason.

The voyagers clearly didn’t follow leave no trace.

Stumpy: "

egknuti: "In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future."

True that. That's why I make a point of littering

Just kidding."

I thought when they were talking about old relics, they were talking about you and me.

Just kidding - I think?

egknuti: "In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future."

That's the question for me: Is it trash that I should pack out or an artifact to be left there? Where do others draw that line or make the distinction.

When the items were removed from Dorothy Molter's island, among that which was saved and re-assembled for her museum, there was a LOT of trash to be thrown away. Years afterward, when I was exploring the island, I found a bottle cap and at first thought "Here's some trash they missed and I should pack it out." Then, considering her history of making root beer, I wondered if it was an artifact, so I left it. Would that same bottle cap have absolutely been trash on a portage trail or campsite? What about the utensils that are sometimes found buried near a fire grate and have obviously been there for years. Leave 'em or pack them out?

When is it trash and when is it treasure?

I found this stuff at a campsite on Horse Lake about ten years ago. If nobody has taken it, it should still be there.

bottomtothetap: "

egknuti: "In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future."

That's the question for me: Is it trash that I should pack out or an artifact to be left there? Where do others draw that line or make the distinction.


When the items were removed from Dorothy Molter's island, among that which was saved and re-assembled for her museum, there was a LOT of trash to be thrown away. Years afterward, when I was exploring the island, I found a bottle cap and at first thought "Here's some trash they missed and I should pack it out." Then, considering her history of making root beer, I wondered if it was an artifact, so I left it. Would that same bottle cap have absolutely been trash on a portage trail or campsite? What about the utensils that are sometimes found buried near a fire grate and have obviously been there for years. Leave 'em or pack them out?


When is it trash and when is it treasure?
"

I believe the general rule is 100 years, but I’ve also seen it listed at 50 years.

Sig Olson led a group that dove for fur trade artifacts below rapids, mostly in the Quetico if I remember correctly. There was a National Geographic article about it in the 60’s. Extremely cool.

egknuti: "

bottomtothetap: "

egknuti: "In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future."

That's the question for me: Is it trash that I should pack out or an artifact to be left there? Where do others draw that line or make the distinction.



When the items were removed from Dorothy Molter's island, among that which was saved and re-assembled for her museum, there was a LOT of trash to be thrown away. Years afterward, when I was exploring the island, I found a bottle cap and at first thought "Here's some trash they missed and I should pack it out." Then, considering her history of making root beer, I wondered if it was an artifact, so I left it. Would that same bottle cap have absolutely been trash on a portage trail or campsite? What about the utensils that are sometimes found buried near a fire grate and have obviously been there for years. Leave 'em or pack them out?



When is it trash and when is it treasure?
"

I believe the general rule is 100 years, but I’ve also seen it listed at 50 years. "

So I shoulda packed out that bottle cap but if it's still there 10 years from now then leave it :)

The 1672 Jesuit Map of Lake Superior by Father Claude Dablon & Father Claude Allouez it was made prior to Daniel Greysolon Dulhut's Fort Caministigoyan 1683 @ The Lakehead a loose term which could apply to Grand Portage or Thunder Bay from those early French Maps. They thought that Lake Superior looked like the head of a Wolf/Dog or other canine hence the reference. The First Early Historical Colonial Maps of the New World were pretty cool showing New France: Provinces of Quebec, Acadia and the enormous Province of Louisiana. New Spain: Provinces of California, Texas, etc. New England: Provinces of New York, Pennsylvania etc. The Fur Trade Era was responsible for the most exploration in the interior of the New World more than any other reason and for the major improvements made in map making. NWC Map maker David Thompson was to land what captain Cook was to water. David Thompson's work was so precise that it fits with modern satellite imagery today.

egknuti: "In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future."

We hooked a 50-60 year old can of Special Export last week while pulling crawler harnesses on Sag. We recycled it but they are listing on eBay for $15. Not exactly treasure haha.

Stumpy: "

egknuti: "In enough time the trash today will become a relic in the future."

True that. That's why I make a point of littering

Just kidding."

Proof!

How old does it need to be to go from trash to relic?

A1t2o: "How old does it need to be to go from trash to relic?"

LOL... good question. Kind of like shopping for antiques.

LindenTree: "

Crappiekillah: "If I found something cool like an arrow head,it's going home.We find them here in Pa after fields are tilled and spring rains and they always go home,why not."

We found an arrowhead in the Sierra Nevada mountains while having lunch. We picked it up looked at it and put in right back where we found it.

Why not, depending on who administers the land, you may be violating the law.

ARPA Archeological Resource Protection Act. "

Some rules are ridiculous in my opinion,like in my home state it is illegal to keep a whitetail dead head,nobody follows it and nobody cares sometimes it's finders keepers!

When I find an artifact I hide it on the site. That way I can enjoy it again when I return again. The item is basically an ego-treasure if it would go home with me. But on the location where found it has tremendous meaning. If I hide it, some day, it will be found again.