• Arrowheads can be found anywhere in Tennessee, but they are often discovered at American Indian gravesites and cemeteries where they were used as grave offerings. There are various ways the arrowheads make their way to the surface; most often it’s from erosion or from farming activity.

Where can I find arrowheads in Tennessee?

Arrowheads can be found anywhere in Tennessee, but they are often discovered at American Indian gravesites and cemeteries where they were used as grave offerings. There are various ways the arrowheads make their way to the surface; most often it’s from erosion or from farming activity.

Where are most arrowheads found?

Places near overhangs, rivers, lakes, and springs are the best places to find arrowheads. I have had the most luck finding arrowheads reasonably near rather than in or right beside rivers. A camp would have been set up near a river but on high ground, away from potential flooding.

Is it illegal to hunt arrowheads in Tennessee?

They do. Tennessee state law requires a person to obtain permission from a private landowner to surface hunt or dig for artifacts on their land.

How do I find arrowheads in my yard?

Lakes, ponds, shallow creeks, and rivers that offered clean, pure water are a great place to find arrowheads. Spring-fed lakes, ponds, and rivers had a consistent flow and never stagnated.

How deep are arrowheads in the ground?

There will usually be a foot or two worth of soft ground followed by harder ground if you dig. Any artifacts are quite likely buried in the softer ground. Water might bury an artifact under softer ground over time, but an arrowhead is not likely to end up under the harder ground.

What are arrowheads worth?

An arrowhead can be worth $20,000 in the best cases, even though it might only be worth $5, and an average arrowhead is only worth about $20. If there is something special about an arrowhead that makes it stand out, it may be worth a lot more than usual.

Where can I find arrowheads in the woods?

Arrowheads are made out of stone, so they tend to move along the bottom of the river just like other rocks and gravel. Spend time looking for arrowheads in the gravel bars and other rocky areas. Look along the water line as well as just inside the water line.

Why are arrowheads found in creeks?

Without methods to store and transport water, they needed daily access to fresh water. So, they camped, traveled, and hunted near water systems. In these drainages they also made, left, lost, and broke stone tools. These points washed into creeks or rivers and become part of their gravel system over the centuries.

What to look for when looking for arrowheads?

Tilled Fields Will Turn Up Native Artifacts Finding a spot with flint chips (percussion flakes) means there were once native inhabitants nearby, and searching these areas after field work or a good rain can turn up arrowheads.

How long did it take to make an arrowhead?

If a flintknapper is skilled, she can make an arrowhead from start to finish in less than 15 minutes. In the late 19th century, anthropologist John Bourke timed an Apache making four stone points, and the average was only 6.5 minutes.

Can you legally sell arrowheads?

A: Yes, as long as the items were found in accordance with state and federal laws, they are completely legal to buy, sell, and trade. By submitting artifacts to us, you certify that the artifacts were legally obtained in accordance to all federal and state laws.

What Indians lived in East TN?

There were approximately 7 tribes in colonial Tennessee: the Muscogee (Creek), Yuchi, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee, Shawnee, and Seneca.

Can you find arrowheads with a metal detector?

The best models to select for locating Arrowheads would be relic hunting metal detectors. These models feature precise ground-adjust capabilities that will allow you to pinpoint items in all ground conditions. Some of the most popular models include the Tesoro Tejon, the Garrett AT Pro and the XP DEUS metal detectors.

How do I identify an arrowhead?

If it’s stemmed, check the condition of the stem. In case it’s stemless, see if it’s fluted or not. If it’s scored, determine if it’s indented in the side or from the corner. The area and the configuration of the pointed arrowhead are sufficient to limit your options to just 12 potential types.

How can you tell how old an arrowhead is?

Most old arrowheads will have a patina, imperfections and a rough and discolored surface. Old arrowheads are also more likely to have flaws than their hobby-made counterparts. They often have chips and flaws from times that they may have been re-sharpened or broken and discarded.