NA Artifact Reference Books?

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

I didn't find any points or other artifacts, so if this thread needs to be moved I won't be offended.

I was just wanting to ask all the artifact folks if y'all could recommend a good reference book for artifacts? It doesn't have to be new or have "updated prices" in it. I would imagine that like coins, artifacts don't really change that much over the years so outdated price info doesn't concern me at all. I'm more interested in the breakdown of regions, shapes, sizes, materials, ect...

I ran across a copy of Arrowheads and Projectile Points - Identification and Values by Lar Hothem from 1983. I thought about buying it but the pics were in black and white. I would prefer color pics, but I would rather have an old book with detailed information and B&W photos as opposed to one with crappy text and shiny color plates.

If you could recommend just one complete, all around reference guide for Native American artifacts, which would it be?

Thanks fellas...

 

[olroy70]

guess that would be like one all around book on microsoft


but, I have always like Eli Wallic (one bad hombre!!!!!!!!!!)

 

[oldgoat]

Hombre, I use the Overstreet Index, it has prices and good descriptions and regional distributions. the bad part is most of the pics are b/w, but as a general guice it has my vote....goat

 

[buzzgator]

I have Overstreet and find it very confusing. Greggory Perinos books will be my next purchace. I asked this same question not to long ago on here.

 

[11KBP]

I was just wanting to ask all the artifact folks if y'all could recommend a good reference book for artifacts? It doesn't have to be new or have "updated prices" in it. I would imagine that like coins, artifacts don't really change that much over the years so outdated price info doesn't concern me at all. I'm more interested in the breakdown of regions, shapes, sizes, materials, ect...

If you could recommend just one complete, all around reference guide for Native American artifacts, which would it be?

Thanks fellas...

If you want a picture book with photos, prices and plenty of mis-information buy an overstreet.

If you want references for ID’ing point types (B & W point illustrations, no photos) and excellent information buy the 4 vol. Bell and Perino set from the below website.
Granted, this set is a little dated but most info is still valid, this is a good source of info for a very low price.

http://www.ou.edu/cas/archsur/oas/publications.html

The OAS best seller
Guides to the Identification of Certain American Indian Projectile Points. Special Bulletins 1-4, Bell & Perino. 428 pages. A four volume set, first published between 1958 and 1971, providing the descriptions, dating and geographic distribution of 200 dart and arrow point types, ranging in age from the earliest Paleoindian Clovis points to Historic period metal arrow points. A total of 1,789 projectile points are illustrated. Cost $60 (includes shipping).


A better reference set would be Perino’s 3 volume hardbound set Selected Preforms, points and Knives of the North American Indians (about 900 pages) but it is getting very expensive due to being out of print.

If you live in the northern and central Plains states then I highly recommend Projectile points of the High Plains by Jeb Taylor.

11KBP

 

[huntress104]

I recently bought the Overstreet identfication and price guide to Indian Arrowheads, 11th ed. and it is very informative. It has black and white as well as color pictures of each arrowhead. It breaks down the regions of the U.S., and which type of arrowheads are found in each one and gives information on each such as size, description of shape and some have the type of material of which it is made. It also has a selling price listed. I bought this book online from Amazon and paid 23.95 for it. It is a very thick book with 1232 pages. Well worth the money. Lots of information. It has some other indian artifacts listed in the book but it is mostly for arrowheads. This is my pick...

 

[buzzgator]

The problem I have with Overstreet is that it has multiple points from the same region that are identical in size patern and shape and yet have different names.

 

[11KBP]

I recently bought the Overstreet identfication and price guide to Indian Arrowheads, 11th ed. and it is very informative. Well worth the money. Lots of information. It has some other indian artifacts listed in the book but it is mostly for arrowheads. This is my pick...

If you're happy with it huntress then that is all that matters.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

The problem I have with Overstreet is that it has multiple points from the same region that are identical in size patern and shape and yet have different names.

Exactly. That's why I have never bought an Overstreet book. Way to much misinformation.

If you are from Ohio then Ohio Flint Types by Robert Converse is a must have.

If you are looking for a lithics guide to help you ID Flint and Chert types from the midwest then Prehistoric Chert Types of the Midwest by DeRegnaucourt and Georgiady is a must have.

Check out this link for all kinds of books on artifacts.

http://www.hothemhouse.com/