Arrowheadology.com Field Guide: Where To Look, Part 1
Posted on 06. Apr, 2009 by Big Ed in Archeological Excavations, Artifact Finds, Miscellaneous
Note: This is the first in a series of posts dedicated to helping both new and experienced arrowhead hunters get the most out of their hobby.
There probably aren’t too many things that your average collector of arrowheads and Donald Trump have in common. However, both realize that success in their respective endeavors is all about finding the right location! As in real estate, location can make or break you when it comes to the business of collecting Indian artifacts.
Lesson #1 for the junior arrowhead hunter is to take your time to research sites in your area that are favorable to finding arrowheads and other artifacts. You can ask people who know, research in your local library, consult an archaeological club/community (like arrowheadology.com) and turn to more advanced tools, such as topology maps and satellite imagery (we’ll cover these topics in future posts).
Arrowheads and other Native American artifacts can be found throughout North America. All it takes to find them are a little knowledge, a keen sense of sight and a fair amount of patience. If you don’t possess patience, then looking for arrowheads may not be the right hobby for you.
Arrowheads are not the only artifacts you might find. In one site you might also find spear heads, axe heads, pieces of broken pottery, drills, scrapers, bone tools and grinding stones or even tiny arrowheads called bird points. In more recent sites, you might also find trade beads or trade pipes. You will also find other collectors’ items that are not considered artifacts, such as glass, bottles, porcelain dolls, nails, coins, brass buttons, jewelry of hard and colorful stones, pipes, beads, ceramic ware with incised designs, musket balls, Civil war bullets, slugs and old homesite/settler items. Of course, you may also find fossils.
How do you know where to find arrowheads and other Native American artifacts?
The best places to hunt for arrowheads are the ones that have been dug up or naturally disturbed recently, for example plowed fields, construction sites and creek beds where arrowheads have been washed away from one area and deposited on another.
An archeological site has been defined as ‘any area modified by ancient man’. Projectile points and other stone artifacts might be closer than you think. Typically, projectile points were lost near ancient campsites, caves, and kill and butchering sites.
Arrowheads can be found in many places but it helps to do your homework. Here are the top 3 places to begin your location research:
- If there is a local archaeological club or a regional community, utilize their knowledge of the area and its history. They can help you locate areas where artifacts might be found and also help you identify any artifacts you find. They will undoubtedly already have excavations underway somewhere in the area that you wouldn’t otherwise have gained access to. However, if you join such a group excavation, we aware that anything you find might not be yours to keep, but could belong to the group. Don’t forget that clubs and communities also include the likes of dedicated internet sites like arrowheadology.com. These are some of the most friendly and experienced people around! But don’t expect them to just turn over their favorite dig sites to you, especially if you have never contributed to the community… but, at the very least, they will steer you in the right direction.
- You can also glean valuable information about an area by researching journals, old books and newspapers from the local library. It’s surprising how many historical documents contain detailed passages about discovering ancient campsites and relics. These records can sometimes point you in surprising directions. The steps here are simple: ask your local librarian for help with finding this type of historical information. They know their archives better than anyone and are often excited to help with such interesting requests.
- If you decide to go old-school and be the super-sleuth, talk to knowledgeable people to find information on the location of ancient sites. Landowners, farmers, ranchers, fence builders, loggers, etc. are all excellent resources to aid in locating ancient sites. To narrow your search, know the area in which you plan to hunt and make sure you have the permission of the landowner and respect the property. Some locations where hunters were once welcome are now closed because of a handful of irresponsible people who failed to get permission and didn’t take the necessary care.
Look for Part 2 of “Where to Look” coming soon!
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39 Responses to “Arrowheadology.com Field Guide: Where To Look, Part 1”
Leave a Reply
Where to find arrowheads, part 2
10. Apr, 2009
[...] Looking for Arrowheads, Part 1 can be found HERE. [...]
How to find arrowheads! Part 3.
11. May, 2009
[...] You can find PART 1 of how to find arrowheads HERE! [...]
rachel sikora
23. Nov, 2009
hi. my name is rae and i have been into arrowheads my whole life but just recently wanted to go out and venture to find some. i have looked in all ovious places from california to michigan, where i live and have been very u lucky. does anyone know of a pacific place in michigan, lower michigan preferably that arrow heads have been found? please let me know i would appreciate it more then u know. thanks rae
Anonymous
27. Jan, 2010
i have found lots along the lake michigan area
ShowmeMoflint
05. Apr, 2010
Thanks Arrowheadology ofr the field guide for new and seasoned hunters I use this for new hunters to refer to when in ? of how to find points
t cain
27. Apr, 2010
I have found some pieces & would like to find out what they were used for.
Phil Shope
30. Apr, 2010
Nice site lots of info
Anonymous
10. Aug, 2010
poo
Anonymous
10. Aug, 2010
poopy
Jordan
08. Sep, 2010
Very informative!
glenda mccray
23. Sep, 2010
i have been hunting arrowheads for 20 years,on black worrior river,in marengo county al. have some nice grinding bowls and arrowheads.
Doug Mills
06. Nov, 2010
This message goes out to Rachel Sikora – 2009 post.
I know where you can find arrowheads in Michigan. If you would like contact me – dougm@torchlake.com
Winter is closing in – so only a couple weeks left. Spring would be a good time also.
Recently I have found a site and what I have found has BEEN A SURPRISE!
Anonymous
02. Jan, 2011
Type your comment here…My name is june bug to rae in michigo hey i live in ky down by bowling green ky i leaved in bremen id. fer 10 years worked at mikes custom paint nappane in. i no good spots there an own the walbash i can spell at good but i an a full blood souix
David
25. Jan, 2011
Hi my name is David.Ive been picking up atifacts since a kid in fields most of the time. I live in south Georgia. I have one ? When I find lots of flakes or chips of flint but no heads. Do I need to stay in that area or not. Most of what I find are one here one there.Never more than one close together.but come back to same place time after time after big rains find a few on same land year after year.
pattie branch
21. Feb, 2011
Hello hunters! I have been hunting for arrow heades for 45 years,try to hunt all most every week have been the last two days found 3 whole ones one quartz scrapper a squeid tail one great bird tip blood red of color and my sis found 2 her self we have a wonderfull time creek hunting and surface to when we can get perm. from the farmers ,hunting clubs are good to go when looking for a site to .good luck to all.Pattie.
justin
19. May, 2011
I live in raleigh n.c. I have been looking arround the lake(falls lake). I have found some arrowheads and small shards once in a blue moon. Dose anyone have any information about this area. I want to look other places besides the lake but not sure were to begin. Can some please help me? Please?
Anonymous
21. Jun, 2011
Rae where are u from in Mi?
michael
02. Sep, 2011
do
michael
02. Sep, 2011
what ever i dont like it here
Anonymous
11. Sep, 2011
i live n clarksville tn anyone care 2 go il show u a cpl hotspots if u show me a cpl
denny
29. Sep, 2011
living in central missouri on a farm i found my first” arrelhead” when i was young(5 or 6) thats all it took..we have lots of caves in missouri,once known as the cave state, and more paileo points then you would think..and no are as a rule are NOT cave rapers..just good” arrelhead”hunters ,good luck to all that come to Missouri.just ask permission..the worst you will hear is no.
DRM
29. Sep, 2011
stop calling them” bird points”..ever hear of a frog points? me either.. the small ones are TRUE arrowheads,put a 3 incher on a arrow and see how far it goes..not far. from half inch to one inch are the true arrowheads,, mostly for a young boys bow. i await your replys!!
Frank
30. Sep, 2011
Up here in New Mexico there are an insane amount of nice spots for hunting. Sadly, very few spearheads. Plenty of obsidian heads though, lots of scrapers and rub rocks. In my 20 years of hunting I’ve probably amassed about 200 heads all in an area about 100 square miles. Just too much land to cover…
Mike
08. Oct, 2011
I need help on identifing my findings…. I will send pics
Anonymous
08. Oct, 2011
need help to idenify my finds in this picture,thanks
Anonymous
20. Oct, 2011
i found 1!…..i think
denny
30. Nov, 2011
went to okla.for turkey day,ate too much,went for a a/noon walk to a friends creek..just talkin and walkin..looked in the edge of the water…found a dalton serrated 3 1/2 incher with a TINY chip on one ear..couldn’t belive it! needless to say walked back in the dark.. its white with a small grey band near the top..really pretty and smooth the sand really shines them up! that makes 4 daltons in ? 20 years.think ill b goin back asap
denny
30. Nov, 2011
Justin,when you see a field or creek,stop and ask the farmer/owner if you can look..tell him who you are,where you live and what you want to do..the worse you will hear is No.. Good Luck!
Extremely-Sharp Life
04. Dec, 2011
[...] while the women folk were enjoying Black Friday, my son and I decided to go and look for arrowheads at an old spot we have not visited for several years. This spot in particular is an old Indian [...]
runnergirl
05. Dec, 2011
I have quite a few arrowheads (30+) that were found in Port Huron, MI. They were given to me by my deceased uncle a long time ago. Not sure what to do with them.
Anonymous
16. Dec, 2011
put them in frames and think of your Uncle when you look at them
dennis miller
16. Dec, 2011
do you know what type they are?? do you want tyo sell any?
Anonymous
16. Dec, 2011
we need more here to read!!
austin
23. Dec, 2011
yea
Anonymous
26. Dec, 2011
a million people on facebook………….?20 here..come on….
Thanks Austin..at least you agree
big wang
09. Jan, 2012
just yesterday i found an indiana green (rare) arrow head… i also found an axe head today and it looks to be the same color but not so much like flint obviously very hard…like big wang… and i have found about 20 arrowheads in only the field behind my house…i have a friend…of my dads but hes cool with me to but he has been offered 250,000 $ for his total collection and didnt except it because he said the guy was about a 100,000 $ short haha but he has boxes of axe heads and 4 gunsafes filled to the top of arrowheads and buckets of them to he has bowl and pestle…hes a hoss when it comes to arrow heads………………BTW can anyone fucking spell on this bitch derrrrrrrrr
justin
12. Jan, 2012
Found some really nice points, nice spear, and a couple knifes this year! Over 40+ items and i hope next years even better!, Taking out the canoe again tomorrow found a site today were I found 2 paleo points and 5 others I’m trying to identify..Happy hunting and i always like to see photos of all of your finds!!
todd
27. Jan, 2012
Looking for places to hunt point in South Georgia, if anyone knows of some people friendly sites. The few fields I’m allowed to look on aren’t producing much. The flint river though has been pretty good to me. Just prefer to look in some fields since my boat is broke down.
poo
02. Feb, 2012
hello