A Glimpse Into The Past

Long before highways, houses, or hardware stores, nomadic tribes roamed what we now call Tennessee — and the hills held their stories.

Meet Bruce

A longtime artifact hunter and amateur archaeologist (Think David Attenborough, Steve Irwin, or Indiana Jones—just without the big budget) now settled in [Somewhere], Tennessee, Bruce has uncovered a treasure trove that fuels his childhood passion.

After purchasing his land in 2018, he stumbled across the mother lode — literally — right in his own backyard.

The Discovery

While 200-plus acres might seem like a lot of ground to cover, it didn’t take Bruce long to find his first natural “overhang” — and even less time to start digging.

Known as rock shelters or overhangs, these natural formations were used by nomadic tribes and early Native Americans as far back as 10,000 years ago. Carved over time by water and erosion, they served as crucial survival hubs:

• Protection from the elements – wind, rain, and extreme sun
• Elevated vantage point – ideal for spotting game or potential threats
• Close access to water – Bruce’s site sits just 50 feet from a creek
• Gathering point for trade, rest, and social life

Thousands of years later — with smoke still painted on the rooftop — it’s easy to see why these shelters were chosen. And for Bruce, they’ve become the doorway to uncovering the past.

"I really want to stab that, but it's way over there..."

Closing the gap and the pursuit of flight.

Technology is ever-changing. Think about AI today—it's reshaping our world. For many, the internet was groundbreaking (and some are still trying to figure it out). Cellphones? Total game-changers. The Industrial Revolution? A pivotal shift.

Now, let's rewind 10,000 years. Back then, the concept of a handheld weapon was pretty bare-bones (pun intended). But an arrowhead flying at 200 feet per second? That was a technological breakthrough!

When facing large predators and prey, this innovation was the equivalent of prehistoric Uber Eats—delivering dinner from a safe distance. No need to chase down a mastodon or go toe to toe with a dire wolf when you could let your arrow do the work.

This leap in technology wasn't just about convenience; it was about survival. The development of hafting—attaching stone points to shafts—transformed hunting practices, allowing early humans to hunt more effectively and safely. It's a testament to human ingenuity, adapting tools to meet the challenges of the time.

Fun Fact, Colossal Biosciences has been on a mission of "de-extinction"

Dire Wolves Return: In April 2025, Colossal Biosciences announced the birth of three dire wolf pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—marking the first successful de-extinction of this species in over 10,000 years.

Woolly Mammoth Project: Colossal aims to bring back the woolly mammoth by 2028, using gene editing and surrogate elephant mothers to reintroduce them to the Arctic tundra.

Woolly Mouse Milestone: The company has also developed a "woolly mouse" as a step toward achieving their mammoth de-extinction goals.

Photo's curtesy of Colossal Biosciences"

You can learn more at https://colossal.com/ or listen to the full interview where Ben Lamm, the founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, sits down with Joe Rogan to give an in-depth look into “de-extinctions” and what that could possibly mean for the future of our planet.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=z40Ar4sEYEK5Ef6E&v=NRVEkc9lxH0&feature=youtu.be

Modern Day Problems Require Modern Day Solutions… Eventually

Archaeology has made massive leaps over the last century. With the help of advancing technology, discoveries that once took decades can now happen in a fraction of the time. Some estimates suggest modern tools have cut discovery timelines by up to 90%—a tenfold acceleration—revolutionizing how we uncover our past.

So, What’s Evolved?

• LiDAR: Maps hidden cities beneath dense forests.
• Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR): Reveals what lies below—no shovel required.
• Drones: Deliver 3D aerial maps and survey advantages.
• DNA Analysis: Tells ancient stories through bloodlines.
• Isotopic Studies: Shows diet, migration, and climate history.

What Hasn’t Changed?

For all the high-tech wizardry, some basics of archaeology are timeless. You still need to get your hands dirty—literally.

• Shovels & Buckets: Still critical in tight spaces or fragile layers.
• Compact Equipment: Mini machines that avoid site damage.
• Hand Tools: Trowels, brushes, and picks for precision work.
• Screens & Shifters: Because the good stuff doesn’t jump out at you.
• Knees, Backs & Patience: The timeless trio of fieldwork.

"My Precious… Bruce’s Path to Mordor"

Okay, maybe not Mordor, but the trek to the overhang wasn’t exactly a stroll through the Shire either. Tight woods, steep climbs, and a landscape that laughs at wheelbarrows—Bruce had his work cut out for him.

In Volume 2, we’ll dive into the uphill battle, the gear that kept him going, and how one compact screener became his Samwise in the field.

Stay tuned — more photos, cooler finds, and the dirty details of Bruce’s epic dig are coming in Volume 2!

Got a story worth digging into?

– The DeSite Team