Copper Inadian arrowhead?

MCollett · Nov 30, 2025

I was cleaning my finds today and this was a late find that I thought was junk. Once I cleaned it, I realized I possibly had a rare find in Alabama. Could this be a Copper Arrowhead? I also noticed that I fricken dinged it with the shovel and was hoping it was not an arrowhead. The last photo is the inside. It was packed with pine needles. Found it in the middle of a field about a foot down.

ToddsPoint · Dec 1, 2025

It sure looks like it could be an arrowhead.

E-Trac-Ohio · Dec 1, 2025

Very cool !

GaRebel1861 · Dec 1, 2025

There's no doubt that is a copper arrowhead. I have found several at a late 1700's - early 1800's village site in Southwest Georgia. I have also heard collectors call them "tinklers" when the tip doesn't form a sharp point. I was told that a "tinkler" was used on their clothing and would chime with one another while dancing. - I don't know if this is correct or not. I'll let you research that. Normally, where I find one, there will be several more in the immediate area. If there is scraps of iron in the area, you may be on one of their homesites. It's worth going back to look because when these copper items were in use, the natives were trading for other detectable items with the settlers such as axes, silver earrings, and firearms. I have seen Spanish coins that have been drilled and presumably used as jewelry come from these type sites.- Good luck!!

Gare · Dec 1, 2025

Very unique find. Any idea as to its age?

MCollett · Dec 1, 2025

GaRebel1861 said:
There's no doubt that is a copper arrowhead. I have found several at a late 1700's - early 1800's village site in Southwest Georgia. I have also heard collectors call them "tinklers" when the tip doesn't form a sharp point. I was told that a "tinkler" was used on their clothing and would chime with one another while dancing. - I don't know if this is correct or not. I'll let you research that. Normally, where I find one, there will be several more in the immediate area. If there is scraps of iron in the area, you may be on one of their homesites. It's worth going back to look because when these copper items were in use, the natives were trading for other detectable items with the settlers such as axes, silver earrings, and firearms. I have seen Spanish coins that have been drilled and presumably used as jewelry come from these type sites.- Good luck!!

Yeah, it was in the middle of a field that we have found several buttons and copper pieces. I am going back this weekend. Deep dive that area. Thanks for the response! I read about the tinker on another site. Thats is so cool. I hate I dinged it with the shovel.

GaRebel1861 · Dec 1, 2025

I hope to see your finds!

pepperj · Dec 1, 2025

GaRebel1861 said:
There's no doubt that is a copper arrowhead. I have found several at a late 1700's - early 1800's village site in Southwest Georgia. I have also heard collectors call them "tinklers" when the tip doesn't form a sharp point. I was told that a "tinkler" was used on their clothing and would chime with one another while dancing. - I don't know if this is correct or not. I'll let you research that. Normally, where I find one, there will be several more in the immediate area. If there is scraps of iron in the area, you may be on one of their homesites. It's worth going back to look because when these copper items were in use, the natives were trading for other detectable items with the settlers such as axes, silver earrings, and firearms. I have seen Spanish coins that have been drilled and presumably used as jewelry come from these type sites.- Good luck!!

I would say it's a tickler also by the shape.

MCollett · Dec 1, 2025

Gare said:
Very unique find. Any idea as to its age?

I have seen some examples of this type posted on the museum website in Ohio that date to 1000 BC or earlier. There were Indian settlements close by along the Tallapoosa River that date back to the Mississippian Period (800-1500AD). These sites were resettled by the Upper Creek Indians up until around 1830. The Tallapoosa floods often and probably moved a lot of artifacts to this field. My guess on the age would be between mid 1600s to the late 1700s. But who knows, it could be a lot older.

Lone Star · Dec 1, 2025

MCollett said:
I was cleaning my finds today and this was a late find that I thought was junk. Once I cleaned it, I realized I possibly had a rare find in Alabama. Could this be a Copper Arrowhead? I also noticed that I fricken dinged it with the shovel and was hoping it was not an arrowhead. The last photo is the inside. It was packed with pine needles. Found it in the middle of a field about a foot down.

It certainly seems to be. That's exactly how they were rolled and formed. Mississippian Cultures probably. Nice find.