Hobbies And Interests
History
Before the 1800s, several bands of the Attakapas tribe inhabited much of southeast Texas and Louisiana. The Attakapas took over the territory near what is now Port Neches, Texas, from the Karankawa tribe, which then moved south to Galveston. These tribes also lived in Louisiana near the southeastern border of Texas. Based on historical journals, other nomadic tribes might have existed in southeast Texas in the late 1700s. Orcoquisa, Bidias, and the Nacazil tribes are most often mentioned in journals written by early explorers to the area. Collectively the tribes are often referred to as Flathead Indians, a name derived from the skull shape that was deformed by being strapped to backboards as infants.
These tribes made weapons to use for hunting and defense, many of which can be found in mounds that are still being discovered in southeast Texas. Arrowheads, pottery, shells, bones and other relics left behind in trash and burial mounds provide a vast amount of archaeological information.
Importance
Archaeological relics have suffered destruction since the peoples who produced them migrated elsewhere or became extinct. As in the case of the extinct Attakapans, Indian tribes did not record history by the written word. The history can be gleaned only from the relics that were left behind.
Progress has taken its toll and relics. An integral part of our historical roots, relics have been long buried, relocated by man or nature or collected out of areas that were of archaeologically importance when left undisturbed. Each relic that is removed from an area alters what can be learned from and about the peoples who left it behind.
Protection
Laws that govern the act of hunting arrowheads and other relics once belonging to American Indian and aboriginal peoples fall under the Antiquities Code of Texas. General knowledge of the code for anyone wanting to hunt for relics is of utmost importance. Permits are required, and those most often granted are for qualified individuals conducting legitimate scientific and educational research. In addition, the code calls for findings to be properly documented, stored and be made available for public viewing.
Legalities
The law as enforced based on the Antiquities Code of Texas prohibits unauthorized individuals from hunting or collecting relics located on land or submerged in any bodies of water that are controlled by the state, counties, river authorities and cities. Federal land, federally owned or governed waters and State Archaeological Landmarks that may be located on privately owned property are also protected under the Antiquities Code. The code is most often enforced by the Texas Department of Natural Resources and its law enforcement agencies. For those found digging or collecting in any of these areas, fines and a risk of imprisonment are documented forms of punishment. It is legal to hunt for arrowheads on one's own property without the need for a permit.
Education
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has developed an Archaeological Division whose sole purpose is to research and preserve the archaeological history of Texas. For this purpose, the state is broken into regions. Southeast Texas falls into regions five and six and should be referenced when making any inquiries to the THC regarding arrowheads from that specific area.
Those interested in hunting for arrowheads or owners of private property who seek more information about the legalities of relic hunting or the preservation of privately owned sites can find a wealth of information from the Texas Archaeological Society (TAS). TAS offers a wide range of archaeological programs and activities. Membership is open to anyone interested in Texas archaeology.