If I Had Known Then What I Know Now!
I loved the outdoors when I was a kid. Since I lived in a rural area and I was outdoors as often as possible, I picked up the occasional arrowhead. I was lucky enough to find several, along with a bag full of pottery sherds, when land was being cleared for a lake. If I had only known then what I know now I could have built a substantial collection in that one place and also found many more productive sites within walking distance from my home that don't exist today because of suburban sprawl. And as long as that lake holds water, I'll never find another arrowhead there.
It's Easier Than You Might Think!
A big part of the equation, in my opinion, nothing else even comes close, is training the eye. Seasoned hunters really aren't looking for relics, per se - they are looking for the signs that lead them to relics. Once you spot debitage pick it up and study it. Draw conclusions as to what makes the debitage you have found different than the rest of the rocks you see all the time. Now look seriously for artifacts, walking in circles away from where you found the chips and flakes. Cover every piece of ground. If you find something, go back over every area that you think you've already looked. Once you have covered the area thoroughly, remember the spot and go back after a good rain and do it all over again. Sometimes it takes several rains to turn up new artifacts - depends on the site and the rainfall.
Another common mistake beginners make is hunting for arrowheads - usually only in the shape of a Christmas tree - but ignoring the other tools that the Indians used in their daily lives such as scrappers, gravers, and choppers. I get a thrill every time I find an arrowhead, but fact is an arrowhead alone doesn't tell much of a story. I frame all of my finds by site, not type for that very reason.
Eventually, as you begin to find debitage and finished artifacts, you'll train your eye to key in on things that look like an artifact because of shape, mineral type, color and patina. It will certainly come in time and probably sooner than you think.
In many ways the Indians were not that much different than modern man, so when you are looking for an area to hunt think where you would would want to walk, hunt and live. Trails were often across the highest ground and in hilly areas always crossed the passes. They lived near water, but not in it, so the first few rises from "old" water will probably be productive if there are cleared areas to search. Old water are rivers, streams, and lakes that have existed for thousands of years. Yes, I said thousands of years. Most people who haven't thought much about the subject, think these relics of the past are a few hundred years old and maybe date back to the first European explorers. Actually, only the most recent Indian artifacts are "only" hundreds of years old and finding 3000 - 7,000 years old relics is common. The Indians left the Stone Age not long after the Europeans arrived.
Archaeologists and anthropologists do not all agree when the first Native Americans arrived on this continent, but most agree that the first ones walked across an ice land bridge - which disappeared as the earth warmed - at least 12,000 years ago. From even that low estimate we can be certain that millions of Indians walked this continent before the Europeans arrived. That means that they left a lot of artifacts behind, and in fact, most of it will never be found.
Debitage
This is what debitage looks like in the field:

Most of the material in that photo is shale. There is is a little sandstone. The material that appears mostly white is chert, which does not normally flake and chip naturally. That is debitage.
Here is a scanned photo of debitage:

Debitage and stone tools in my part of the country is mostly chert. I also find artifacts made of jasper and quartz.
Most new hunters are surprised at the amount of debitage that is out there once they realize what it is.
Found 11th and 12th of February 2008

This site borders a creek that runs through a pass in a mountain. Smaller creeks also drain into the main creek at this site. The more water the better. Passes are good because this will be the place where humans and game traveled. Rises, like this one has, near the water makes the site even better because the Indians could live there without fear of being flooded. Relics can be found near and in the water, but the rises are usually where you find the most.
A site like this is generally going to have much lithic debris like flint chips, flakes, cores, and cobble. Once you begin seeing this stuff, look hard for artifacts. They are there.
These are examples of what you can find once you have located a good site and know what to look for:


It rained some on the 13th. We went back to the same site on the 14th and found these in the same area:

It pays to keep searching a good site. New rains uncover more artifacts. Erosion washes them to new areas. Shadows hide. Bright light washes out. Artifacts hide behind bushes and dead wood. I've found artifacts only because I stopped to tie my shoe. All of it will never be found.
Read My Outdoors Blog Here
- Billco's Outdoor Blog
- Fishing, hiking, arrowhead hunting and more.
If You Only Buy One Reference Book
This is the one you need
The Official Overstreet Identification and Price Guide to Indian Arrowheads 10th Edition (Official Overstreet Indian Arrowhead Identification and Price Guide)
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 08/08/2008)
Optimum Framing Method for Arrowheads
Best Source that I've Found
The best way to display and protect your artifacts is in a wood lock down frame, using foam on the inside to softly press your artifacts against the glass. I have bought these frames from this eBay seller and I have been very pleased with price and quality.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byNew Link List
- My Articles on Qassia
- Many of my collecting articles are gathered here.
Great Stuff on Amazon
Arrowheads and Projectile Points (Identification & Values (Collector Books))
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 08/08/2008)
Antique Trader Indian Arrowheads Price Guide (Antique Trader Arrowhead Identification and Price Guide by Jason Hanna)
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 08/08/2008)
Arrowpoints, Spearheads, & Knives of Prehistoric Times
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 08/08/2008)
Post And Get Feedback About Your Finds At These Sites:
- TreasureNet
- Good artifact discussion board.
- Prehistoric Relic Owners Society
- Another good place to discuss artifacts.
My Articles on Qassia
Qassia
- Link to My Qassia Articles
- Many of my articles are collected on Qassia.
Reader Feedback
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mulberry
This is the kind of thing I need to learn more about; we like to get out in the wilderness quite a bit and I think scouting things out like this would be a nice way to add to the experience. Posted August 07, 2008 |
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totalhealth
interesting lens. It's nice to learn about indian artifacts Posted August 05, 2008 |
| poddys
This is a lovely lens, so full of great information. Sad to read about all the arrowheads that are now under houses and the lake. So much history gone. 5***** Posted August 02, 2008 |
| Tiddledeewinks
I'll be back. Very interesting read! Posted August 01, 2008 |
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darlkay52
I love this lens. My father was a great collector of arrowheads and I grew up looking for arrowheads and unusual rocks. I now take my grandkids whenever I get the chance. You have provided some great information. Posted July 19, 2008 |



