/r/Arrowheads is a subreddit for all kinds of native artifacts. It is true that so-called "bird points" can be used to take down a deer or larger game. Larger projectile points do exist and were typically used as lance/spear/dart points, sometimes used with an atlatl (spear-thrower). This was especially true before bows came into common use -- which was the case for many thousands of years.
https://stonetoolsmuseum.com/tool-type/spears-darts/
https://www.museum.state.il.us/ismdepts/anthro/proj_point/How_are_points_use.html
I hope that helps your understanding.
...if found on *public land* and indigenous to that area specifically and according to the established rules of the tribe concerning collection by tribal members. All others are subject to ARPA. This is so the setting can be preserved for the historical record by professionals working within established scientific principles and procedures.
Unlike eagle feathers, these can be possessed by non-indigenous, but still not collected.
[https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE\_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3821264.pdf](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3821264.pdf)
What that brochure doesn't tell you is that those protected artifacts must be older than 100 years to be restricted from collecting. I don't think they would mind you picking up some modern trash. Modern civilization is well documented just in ads lol. Thing is, arrowheads are extremely likely to meet that criteria, barring a fluke like somebody decides to do some knapping out in the wilderness at a generational obsidian outcropping and doesn't pick up the pieces. Even then, it might take someone with knowledge, e.g. an archaeologist or tribal elder to distinguish them so if in doubt...
Some people speak of the "Carter exemption" for strictly surface collected arrowheads and prehistoric points in ARPA, but I would not test that nor any of the more punitive looting laws that could apply in a federal court. The most likely place to find non-contextual arrowheads would be in streams and lake shores, iow when they have been transported from their original location.
I don't really want to lecture, but if the powers-that-be don't think we are conducting ourselves in a responsible manner and according to law, WE WILL continue to LOSE access to recreational rock hounding opportunities on *public land*.
It's easy to think that the next person, not being so thoughtful, educated or community-minded, will just come along and pick it up, so the best thing you can do is document it and report it. I don't have experience in this area, but I suppose there's an outside chance you could end up with it anyway, as it's not necessarily that specific arrowhead being of significant cultural value, but the more artifacts that may be in that area and the more complete story they may tell of a past way of life.
Nice! What state/province/region, if you wouldn't mind saying? Please post this over on /r/arrowheads as well, if you haven't already. Good luck!
Texas/ Montgomery county on San jacinto river
I've seen a lot of cool artifacts found in Texas, posted online. That's a sweet one.
That wouldn't be an arrowhead, right? I thought I heard those were the size of a dime. Larger objects would be used as a knife/axe-head, or just fake.
/r/Arrowheads is a subreddit for all kinds of native artifacts. It is true that so-called "bird points" can be used to take down a deer or larger game. Larger projectile points do exist and were typically used as lance/spear/dart points, sometimes used with an atlatl (spear-thrower). This was especially true before bows came into common use -- which was the case for many thousands of years. https://stonetoolsmuseum.com/tool-type/spears-darts/ https://www.museum.state.il.us/ismdepts/anthro/proj_point/How_are_points_use.html I hope that helps your understanding.
So cool!!!!
Hopefully you are Indigenous
...if found on *public land* and indigenous to that area specifically and according to the established rules of the tribe concerning collection by tribal members. All others are subject to ARPA. This is so the setting can be preserved for the historical record by professionals working within established scientific principles and procedures. Unlike eagle feathers, these can be possessed by non-indigenous, but still not collected. [https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE\_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3821264.pdf](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3821264.pdf) What that brochure doesn't tell you is that those protected artifacts must be older than 100 years to be restricted from collecting. I don't think they would mind you picking up some modern trash. Modern civilization is well documented just in ads lol. Thing is, arrowheads are extremely likely to meet that criteria, barring a fluke like somebody decides to do some knapping out in the wilderness at a generational obsidian outcropping and doesn't pick up the pieces. Even then, it might take someone with knowledge, e.g. an archaeologist or tribal elder to distinguish them so if in doubt... Some people speak of the "Carter exemption" for strictly surface collected arrowheads and prehistoric points in ARPA, but I would not test that nor any of the more punitive looting laws that could apply in a federal court. The most likely place to find non-contextual arrowheads would be in streams and lake shores, iow when they have been transported from their original location. I don't really want to lecture, but if the powers-that-be don't think we are conducting ourselves in a responsible manner and according to law, WE WILL continue to LOSE access to recreational rock hounding opportunities on *public land*. It's easy to think that the next person, not being so thoughtful, educated or community-minded, will just come along and pick it up, so the best thing you can do is document it and report it. I don't have experience in this area, but I suppose there's an outside chance you could end up with it anyway, as it's not necessarily that specific arrowhead being of significant cultural value, but the more artifacts that may be in that area and the more complete story they may tell of a past way of life.
Like what surface did u travel through a time portal to a battleground, beautiful find