Dr. Mark Corbitt Introduces Paleo-Indian Artifact Collection Thursday, Oct. 11

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University will introduce a collection of Paleo-Indian artifacts from the private collection of local surgeon, Dr. Mark Corbitt, on the second floor of Nevins Hall Thursday, Oct. 11 from 4 to 5 p.m.

The collection includes artifacts that are more than 13,000 years old.

“Possibly the most interesting part of his collection is a cache of Paleo-Indian artifacts which includes True Blade Cores and Blades as well as micro-tools and lanceolate points,” said Dr. Michael Noll, associate professor of geography and coordinator of the exhibit. “Of special interest are artifacts made of botryoidal and druzy coral, the likes of which have not been described in North America.”

Noll added that the exhibit would not have been possible without the assistance and dedication of Dr. Liesel Hermes (visiting scholar at VSU in 2011-2012) and Corbitt’s sister, Tina Corbitt.

Corbitt is a graduate of VSU and Mercer University School of Medicine. He then completed a five-year general surgery residency as well as a two-year cardio-thoracic fellowship at Medical College of Georgia.

While growing up in Lanier County, Corbitt played in cotton fields where he found his first Native American artifacts. He was fascinated by these finds and has been an avid collector ever since.

“The majority of his collection is surface finds,” said Noll. “However he also was a passionate diver of the rivers of South Georgia and North Florida in years past and has a number of isolated finds from the river bottoms, including Clovis and other Paleo-Indian artifacts.”

During Thursday’s presentation, Corbitt will discuss the featured artifacts and allow guests to observe them. The exhibit will be on display for the remainder of the 2012-13 academic year.

For more information, contact Noll at mgnoll@valdosta.edu .