Cumberland Farms Artifacts

Cumberland Farms Artifacts The mission of Cumberland Farms Artifacts is to help expand understanding and appreciation of humanit

The mission of Cumberland Farms Artifacts is to help expand understanding and appreciation of humanity's ancient past as achieved through systematic investigation of the archaeological record here in the Mid West. Promoting research to logical resources, public education to help serve the publics interest. Help us "Touch The Past" in advancing knowledge and enhancing awareness of the past.

Keeping it simple tonight and talking to God 💙
06/20/2026

Keeping it simple tonight and talking to God 💙

Ignoring your passion is a slow death. Never ignore what your heart pumps for. Build your career around your lifestyle, ...
06/18/2026

Ignoring your passion is a slow death. Never ignore what your heart pumps for. Build your career around your lifestyle, not your lifestyle around your career.

Stone turned to art. The sheer skill required to craft this fully drilled, winged banded slate bannerstone is remarkable...
06/18/2026

Stone turned to art. The sheer skill required to craft this fully drilled, winged banded slate bannerstone is remarkable. It makes 200 year old historic relics feel modern compared to its 5,000 year old legacy.
A proud personal find from January 27, 2018, discovered along a Mississippi River tributary in Muscatine County, Iowa.

...Dirt, Stones And Million-Dollar Dreams Rewind to my splendid days at elementary school. I'll never forget the th...
06/16/2026

...Dirt, Stones And Million-Dollar Dreams
Rewind to my splendid days at elementary school. I'll never forget the thrill of "Bring your favorite object to class day." To some other classmates, the might have been the opportunity to showcase their He-Man action figurs or sparkly tiaras. But for me, it was my chance to present my collection of colorful rocks. I meticulously arranged them on my desk, proudly declaring not just rocks; they are to my awestruck peers, These are not nothing less than gemstones from the distant age of my awesome imagination! Meanwhile I could hear laugh from the back of the classroom, likely from a future rock enthusiast who would someday also vow to support rock collections everywhere. Little did I know, this innocent display of childhood enthusiasm would plant the very first seeds of confidence in my quest to explore history through archaeology what is now Cumberland Farms Artifacts, I may have thought of myself as a mini Indiana Jones, but less suave and without the ability to whip.
Another pivotal moment came during a particularly riveting class field trip to an actual, bona fide archaeological dig site. Spirited classmates buzzing around in anticipation, armed with clipboards like we were on an elaborate treasure hunt, I can confidently say that those moments felt electric. The site was bathed in warm sunlight, and there were giant sifting screens and trowels strewn about, almost shaking witth the allure of mystery.

A heavy anchor to a forgotten world. Raised against the brilliant sky, the 3/4 groove axe frames the sinking sun, fusing...
06/14/2026

A heavy anchor to a forgotten world. Raised against the brilliant sky, the 3/4 groove axe frames the sinking sun, fusing ancient human ingenuity with the timeless rhythm of the cosmos.

Scattered lithic flakes hints at the ancient history buried in the Iowa soil. Following the trail of debris leads to the...
06/13/2026

Scattered lithic flakes hints at the ancient history buried in the Iowa soil. Following the trail of debris leads to the ultimmate reward! A beautifully crafted 3/4 groove archaic, 5,000–6,000 axe! Heavy and perfectly balanced in your hand. Just as you wipe the mud from its polished surface to admire the craftsmanship, a sudden crack of thunder rolls across the sky, forcing you to pack up your prize and sprint for cover as the skies finally open up.

Type: 3/4 Groove (High Ridge) AxePeriod: Archaic (~6,000 years old)Dimensions: 6 inches (Dense/Heavy)Material: PorphyryP...
06/12/2026

Type: 3/4 Groove (High Ridge) Axe
Period: Archaic (~6,000 years old)
Dimensions: 6 inches (Dense/Heavy)
Material: Porphyry
Provenance: Found in 1986 by Gary Napier while seeding oats in Lucas County, IA. Purchased on October 28, 2022.

​This exceptional 6 inch, 3/4-groove (high ridge) axe is one of the finest examples to emerge from southern Iowa. Originally discovered in 1986 by Gary Napier while seeding oats in Lucas County, I purchased this remarkable piece on October 28, 2022. Crafted from exquisite, highly figured porphyry, the axe is remarkably dense, heavy, and visually stunning. Dating back to the Archaic period approximately 6,000 years ago, it exemplifies the world class stone craftsmanship frequently recovered from the rich soils of central and southern Iowa counties like Madison, Lucas, Dallas, Polk, Monroe, and Marion.

Pride in your work reflects a sound mind; true greatness only comes from passion.
06/11/2026

Pride in your work reflects a sound mind; true greatness only comes from passion.

...Dirt, Stones And Million-Dollar Dreams Your level of gratitude determines your level of happiness, as well as you...
06/09/2026

...Dirt, Stones And Million-Dollar Dreams
Your level of gratitude determines your level of happiness, as well as your potential for success.
It's difficult to be happy without gratitude.

A quick re-share of a point I pulled from the Boyer River near Denison, Iowa, a few years back. Even though it has an an...
06/09/2026

A quick re-share of a point I pulled from the Boyer River near Denison, Iowa, a few years back. Even though it has an ancient break, the material is absolutely exquisite—and something I’ve never seen before in western Iowa. Check out that tiny crystal inclusion right at the base!

​Did you know? When Denison built its lagoons on the southwest side of town, they unearthed a massive site containing human remains, buffalo bones, pottery, stone tools, and fire pits. Some of the drilled bones are even thought to have been crafted into toys for children. The Boyer River valley is rich with this history; in fact, a tributary near Dow City called Paradise Creek has a long history of similar discoveries. It’s no wonder roughly 90% of the local hilltop farmers have built up incredible artifact collections just through their daily routines. You really can learn a lot from the elders at a small town coffee shop!

Address

Pella, IA
50219

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

(712) 579-5306

Website

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