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How to Identify Indian Artifacts

For hundreds of years before Europeans came to America, there were indigenous people who lived their way of life and had great societies. These societies are all but gone, but they have left behind thousands of artifacts that have yet to be found. These artifacts and very easy to identify once you know a few things to keep an eye out for. Having a collection of Indian artifacts is really a great thing and it can offer a greater appreciation for the history of this area because Europeans came.

Instructions

Identify Indian Artifacts
- 1
  Identify the location of the artifact. Typically, Indians could be found near riverbeds and in areas like that because they would need a constant supply of water. Since there was no piping back then, it was important to stay close. Therefore, by identifying the location, you can better determine if the artifact is an Indian one. Furthermore, it helps you to deduce which tribe it might have belonged to.
- 2
  Identify the material of the artifact. By knowing the location and the materials of that location, it is easy to deduce what tribes might have used this material. If there is a certain rock only available in the mid west and that artifact pops up on the east coast, it is a sure sign that there was trading between tribes. Furthermore, anything made of metal wouldn't be used by Indians, so you can rule that out.
- 3
  Notice the shape and design of the artifacts. For example, when observing an arrow head, if there are notches in it, it might be an older one which could provide information on which tribe it might have belonged to. Adding in the material and location and you should be able to deduce which tribe this artifact is from.
- 4
  Keep an eye out for what types of items they are. Since Indians were typically gatherers, hunters, and farmers, keeping an eye out for tools of these trades is important.

Fossil Collecting