Approximately 11,000 years ago, Ice Age people (Paleoindians) lived at Nobles Pond in Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio. Science knows little about these people, but they are considered to be the first inhabitants of Ohio after the glacial ice receded. Several Paleoindian campsites have been discovered, excavated, and recorded at this 25-acre site.
A characteristic tool of the Paleoindians is their special spear points, called fluted points (shown at right). These spear points were made in a unique way, during a limited period of time, which serves to identify the approximate time that these people were at Nobles Pond.
Another characteristic tool of the Paleoindians is a stone scraper of the type called a trianguloid end scraper (shown at left). Hundreds of these scrapers have been found at Nobles Pond, where they were mostly used for scraping animal hides.
Measured by area excavated, total stone tools recovered, or number of activity areas discovered, Nobles Pond is one of the largest known Paleoindian sites in the western hemisphere. This site provides a rare opportunity to learn about the Paleoindians who once inhabited eastern North America.
