Field Guide: Where to Look for Arrowheads, Part 3
Posted on 11. May, 2009 by Big Ed in Archeological Excavations, Miscellaneous
When looking for arrowheads, previous settlements like large village sites are often the easiest to locate… especially in plowed fields. However, the main drawback of searching a cultivated field is that modern farming implements can easily pulverize stone artifacts. While they are successful in bringing long forgotten artifacts to the surface, they can also damage them in the process. You’ll likely find stone artifacts that have modern scars on them from tractor equipment. It’s fairly common in fields that have been farmed for generations.
Projectile points lost during a hunt are often isolated finds. Specifically, you may find a single projectile point with no other signs of occupation around. More than likely, this is a point that was lost during a hunt and is not situated in a camp environment.
When hunting village campsites, be sure to hunt the perimeter and surrounding areas as well. It’s common to stick to one area that shows the most visible signs of occupation. However, many good arrowheads have been found on the perimeter of campsites outside the main living area. This could be due to the article being lost outside of camp, erosion, or disturbance from farming equipment.
When walking an area, always survey the landscape and consider areas where ancient people may have camped. Often they chose places for the same reasons we would today, areas sheltered from the elements. For example, a cave or a bluff sheltered from the wind, near a reliable water source but out of the flood zone, and in areas where there is a lot of game.
Where was the likely center of the settlement/campsite? If you can make a good guess, then you can spiral outward in your search, ensuring that you canvass the area equally. Take special note of the geographic “distinctions” of the site… which way does water flow? Where would heavy rains in the past hundreds of years uncovered and redeposited artifacts? Are there natural areas around that would have served specific purpose like food prep, storage, weapon making or a hunting lookout?
Of course, keep in mind that, while ancient peoples searched out sites that would provide shelter, the landscape may have changed over the hundreds of years that have passed. Ancient springs may have disappeared, former creeks may be unnoticeable now, and today’s rivers may be several miles from their ancient course. As a result, campsites will not always be located where you might expect. Also, places that were once occupied may now be buried by multiple feet of silt and topsoil. Erosion may also have destroyed sites, washing any arrowheads into creeks and streams.
The biggest key to success in finding arrowheads is not so much in knowing “where” to look, it’s more about “how” to look. Put your detective hat on and treat the site as if it were a police investigation. What happened where and why? What has changed since it happened? Start answering those questions correctly and you’ll make some amazing discoveries!
Look for Part 4, coming soon!
You can find PART 1 of how to find arrowheads HERE!
And Part 2 can be found HERE!
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11 Responses to “Field Guide: Where to Look for Arrowheads, Part 3”
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Linsey Taylor
11. Feb, 2010
Me and my dad go Arow head hunting every summer and i am 16 and the hole time i have been arow head hunting i have probably found 200 arow heads and my dad NO TELLING we have a bord full of arow heads and a box full of chipings. It is so fun and you get a tan to. (LOL)!!?!!
Phil Shope
02. May, 2010
I have become discouraged somewhat because of farmers going to no-till and it is so hard to find points around anymore. I have started hunting along places on the Ohio River and have found a few after a heavy downpour but not many. I see a need to change the way I am searching for these but need to learn more. I watch videoes on YouTube of the ones found when creekwalking and would like to know which creeks they look in. How do you choose a good creek and what are their techniques of finding them? Most creeks that flow into the river from the Indiana side are muddy on the bottom and impossible to hunt. Maybe in creeks that are shallower with gravel bottoms? Please share your ideas. Something needs to change. I am 61 next week and want to stay active as long as possible.
Thanks,
Phil
Art Jones
18. May, 2010
Phil, I share your pain… And since I’m 68, I share your pain in other ways too. No til farming has led to my doing more map and history research while keeping in mind that tribal communities always needed water, preferably on high ground and if it’s in your area, more of a sandy type soil. But it remains more luck than anything else. A few months ago I spend 4 hours in a sandy area near the Iroquois River that had just been plowed. Didn’t find a thing. Came home and found a perfect arrowhead while walking my dog in a field behind the house. Yesterday after finding a pocket full of bits n’ pieces, I found a perfect bird point in a cornfield near Sugar Creek and Del Rey in Illinois.
rebecca
10. Sep, 2010
i have 180 acers in east texas.. i have found about 20 arrowheads just walking the property and a few tools.. like you say alot of them where after a field was plowed …the land is between 2 creeks.. and very hilly area.. i have not found any pottery.. just arrowheads and tools.. alot of bits and pices.. alot of petrified wood.. even a arrowhead made of petrified woodl.. i guess my question is do you think this is site where a camp site might have been?? and how do research it to find out.. the land has been in family for several generations.. any answers??
Tim
23. Sep, 2010
Anyone from southwest MICHIGAN??
Doug Mills
06. Nov, 2010
Hi Phil & Art – (2 PRO’S) I’m a KID next to you guys – Doug age 47. I find arrowheads along the lake shores – kayaking – in water and on shore – nestled in rocks and underneath. I use a stick on land and have found many 2 inches deep around tree bases – in roots. Seedlings must fall into these chert/flint piles and trees grow up & roots lift up some broken pieces and I dig around and “BINGO”
I have found others around larger bolders and the Indians must have used like a table or visual marker. I THINK alot of the Indians UNTIED the broken tail ends and discarded and washed their bloody sticks by the waters edge.
LOOK alittle inland from the creek or river and around the tree bases – but you have to DIG – ROOT around – push leafs, soil, dirt and you will FIND something – that’s my METHOD and I have FOUND DOZENS – Doug in Northwestern Michigan.
Anonymous
16. Nov, 2010
Anyone from Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County area? Has anyone ever found any points here?
Virginia
Anonymous
14. Feb, 2011
i live in bear valley i have tree arrow heads from a indian store but it wont go on my stick why?
Grayson Kohary
24. Feb, 2011
I’m 12 and I go hunting for artifacts, caves, ect. all the time. I also take photographs and map the place. It’s right along the Connecticut River where I search. It’s fun, but nothing yet………
Anonymous
19. Apr, 2011
I found a 2″ arrowhead while walking along a natural park area in Gloucester, MA
debi
02. Feb, 2012
hello happy hunters! I have found nice arrowheads on the shores of the potomac river. the fishing was great back in the time for all the men. when the indians lived here, man hunted and fished; there were no taxes, no debts, and the women did all the work. Then the white man thought he could “improve” things.