Educate me please.

[flyinryan2]

Hello my names Ryan I have found a few points in the past year, but I'm still a novice in what to look for while arrowhead hunting. I've noticed some of the points being posted don't have that traditional shape to them so to my untrained eye I would not consider that being a point and probably put those back. Can you post up some points that don't have that traditional shape to them to better educate myself so I'm not passing up the crudely made points.
Thanks for the help,
Ryan.

 

[theviking]

Hey Ryan, here are a few examples of what I find around here.

 

[GatorBoy]

Quick tip..
Don't look for "points" look for visible work on the right material for your area.
The points will just show up if you do that.
Rarely is a projectile point the first sign you will see that your in the right area.
Look for the material then focus on that area.

 

[GatorBoy]

None of these are points.. but good finds just the same.

 

[unclemac]

LITHICS-Net - Arrowhead and Spearhead Point Information

this is an interesting site to snoop around in.....

 

[steve71]

you can buy the overstreet book that shows you points from your area and a price guide

 

[chase2]

Quick tip..
Don't look for "points" look for visible work on the right material for your area.
The points will just show up if you do that.
Rarely is a projectile point the first sign you will see that your in the right area.
Look for the material then focus on that area.

Very wise advice! when I am out hunting there is a progression I go through. First I look for the material (get to know the lithics of the area) second look for work on the material. (not always prevalent when buried, need to at least flip it out for inspection) third shape (but not always cookie cutter notched point) too many artifacts are tools or broken that do not have features to indicate its an artifact, which goes back to work on the artifact.
Here is an example

 

[NC field hunter]

Quick tip..
Don't look for "points" look for visible work on the right material for your area.
The points will just show up if you do that.
Rarely is a projectile point the first sign you will see that your in the right area.
Look for the material then focus on that area.

Gator, you gave good advice. The only problem is lithic is most often recognized by color. For a new hunter, wanting that first few points, noticing Lithic or color is all gravy. However, don't allow yourself to become a color hunter. Nice way to start, and build confidence, but can ultimately be a bad habit that is hard to break. Color hunting will rob you of sought after harder to recognize lithic.

 

[GatorBoy]

You have to know the material first and foremost.. after that..like was stated..you recognize the work.
That's what leads to finding different lithics.
Color hunting is a bad habbit anywhere...and was not suggested.
Where I am alone there is probably a dozen different colors and shades of chert and coral.. not to mention the differing patinas depending on soil conditions ..ect.
If someone spends there time looking for the shape of an arrowhead they will miss the majority of them..unless a perfect example is laying there completely uncovered.

 

[GatorBoy]

Unfortunately it's usually a little more like this.

 

[flyinryan2]

Thank you everybody. I spotted some good rock examples today while I was working. No worked pieces but still good practice. Hope to be posting up some points soon!
Thanks again.

 

[GatorBoy]

Best of luck to you.