Correspondent photo / Melissa Channell
John Chuey, one of the founders of the Mahoning Valley Archaeological Society, looks over some artifacts that were on display Saturday in Newton Falls. The event was organized by Pat Layshock, a member of the society who has an extensive collection of arrowheads.

Pat Layshock, one of the members who knows the distillery owner, made arrangements for the location, and John Chuey, one of the founders, enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the artifacts displayed and their uses. He said the society was founded 30 years ago.

One of the members, Jim Schneider, is president of the Lawrence County King Beaver Archaeological Society. He gives presentations on the use of tools such as the atlatl, which is a wooden hook used for adding distance when throwing specific tools.

Lora Brady, vice president of the Mahoning Valley Archaeological Society, said that after finding an artifact under a tree at the age of 6, she was hooked on relics and artifacts.

Evan Gallo, a first-generation auctioneer, said, “I was a collector for years before getting into the business side.”

Jason VanHoose, a member of the MVAS, is an artist.

“You never forget your first find,” VanHoose said.

“We’re enthusiastic about looking for artifacts, arrowheads, anything prehistoric, stone tools. These people lived here thousands of years off the land using whatever they had to perpetuate their life. Today it’s so easy for us if you have a drill and use it and the drill breaks, we go to Home Depot and get another one. These people had to make them,” Chuey said.

In addition to the artifacts on display, there also were informational handouts, applications to join the club and a schedule of meetings. The next one is at 6 p.m. June 29 at the log cabin at Boardman Park.

This meeting will delve into trade and exchange in ancient cultures, with a focus on artifacts that reveal connections between communities. Guests should bring in their pottery fragments, beads or other trade-related items for discussion.

The club also does “field walks” in hopes of finding new artifacts.