Arrowhead hunting

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I own property in an area of Tennessee that has a reputation for having a lot of Indian activity in times gone by. I have never made an effort to look for artifacts/arrowheads, but I think I'm going to give it a try. Anyone have experience at this? I have done some research online and watched several YouTube videos. I would welcome any suggestions that might be helpful in getting me started.

 

[farmeratheart]

I own property in an area of Tennessee that has a reputation for having a lot of Indian activity in times gone by. I have never made an effort to look for artifacts/arrowheads, but I think I'm going to give it a try. Anyone have experience at this? I have done some research online and watched several YouTube videos. I would welcome any suggestions that might be helpful in getting me started.

The farm that I grew up on in upstate NY had many arrowheads in certain fields. My Dad used to do his plowing for corn, oats, or alfalfa in the fall. The best time to look for arrowheads was after an early spring rain before the land was disced and harrowed. Walking on plowed ground can be challenging especially if it’s still greasy from the rain. Good luck!

Frank

 

[MossRoad]

I agree with the above about spring being the best time to look before the fields are turned over. Also, look around ravines, gullies, creek banks, especially areas where creeks and streams meet. Anywhere that looks like either a good hunting spot or a good camping spot to you probably looked the same to the original peoples.

 

[MossRoad]

Also, if you can find a rock source for flint, chert or quartzite, you can sometimes find remnants of arrowhead making, and even some complete heads sometimes. Most places like that are picked over, but there's some sites on private land that may have been forgotten or looked over.

 

[Jim Nelson]

When I was a kid growing up in a small mountain town in Colo.,there were a lot of vacant areas that us kids walked across to get where we were going.There were a lot of big red ant hills in these areas and we found several arrow heads laying on the sides of these ant hills.I have no idea how they got there or if the ants had anything to do with it. There were also a lot of them pretty much any place you would expect small game to be. There was a lot of flint and quartz in the area and we found lots of chips and worked pieces that looked like they broke while being worked.
That area has all been developed now so probably pretty slim pickings.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I imagine ants are like gophers/moles and will push up weird objects that are in their way... I've found rocks from my septic drain field, golf balls, a 1"x1" tile, hose clamp etc next to mole hills or gopher holes on my property (there's some quality fill dirt in some areas...)

 

[deserteagle71]

Just an FYI...if you are collecting arrowheads don't be spreading that information around, especially on social media sites. Picking up arrowheads is AGAINST THE LAW, as covered by the Federal Antiquities Act! We see constant reminders of that out here (because 87% of Nevada is Federal land) in the media; every once in a while the Feds bust someone who is bragging about their arrowhead collection - fines are VERY stiff and sometimes combined with jail time - and then broadcast that information as a warning to others.

This pretty much applies to ANY public land be it Federal or state. It IS legal to pick up arrowheads on private property.

 

[oosik]

Many folks have had success finding arrow heads on the lower reaches of the Colombia River. A good friend has spent most of his adult life searching, off/on, and has a quite impressive collection. The collection includes small heads( used on birds ) and medium sized heads - used in fishing. His collection include around 115 specimens. Only two are the larger type. Considered for use on game such as deer, etc. Considering the material being used and the tools available - the small arrow heads represent a very high level of craftsmanship.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

As I have spring fed ponds with streams that leave them, that have been here since the glaciers made them, they have been camping area's for early Indian tribes...

Over the years we have found many arrow points, a stone ax head and a few years ago I found this spear point,

I found it in the garden as I don't actually look for them any longer...

SR

 

[CobyRupert]

Get yourself a horse and plow.

My father found a lot of flint arrow heads, spear points in his youth. But that may of been from the days of cultivating / working the land with horses or with tractors that moved at the fraction of speed of modern farming, and where operator was close to the ground.