American Indians roamed over this territory for thousands of years, leaving behind remnants of stone tools and weapons and later, pottery shards. These prehistoric relics have been discovered in fields and on beaches for generations, and on Feb. 14, many residents took their artifacts to Kingston Parish House in Mathews for a chance to learn exactly what they had.

Thane Harpole and Anna Rhodes of the Fairfield Foundation, and Bert Wendell Jr., Teresa Preston and Wayne Edwards of the Nansemond chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia, were among the experts on hand to help with identification. The session was sponsored by the Mathews County Historical Society.

Forrest Morgan, historical society president and himself an enthusiastic member of the Middle Peninsula chapter of the ASV, introduced Harpole, who said the Fairfield Foundation has a mission of documenting archeological and architectural assets of Mathews County before they are lost. He said nearly 180 archeological sit...