Hobbies And Interests
Artifacts to Find in Wyoming
While the arrowhead is the most commonly thought of artifact of the Native Americans who lived in Wyoming, there are many other stone and bone tools used by these tribes that can still be found today. Museums such as the Plains Indian Museum at the Buffalo Bill Historic Center in Cody, WY, exhibit artifacts that a novice collector can look at to familiarize himself with the variety of artifacts that may be found in Wyoming. Artifacts from pioneers and other European settlers of Wyoming will be more easily recognizable to the modern artifact hunter.
Accessing Private Land
Hunting and collecting artifacts on private property requires gaining permission of the landowner. Some landowners may allow artifact collecting on their land but leasing rights has become increasingly common. Arrowhead and artifact collecting clubs and associations commonly hold collecting rights and joining one of these groups can provide an individual with access to multiple properties.
Finding Artifacts
Aside from extensive digging and excavation, the most productive way to find artifacts is to search areas where erosion and farming disrupts the soil. Creek and river beds and banks are constantly churned by water, exposing new rocks and possible artifacts. Wyoming's many farms provide plowed fields that can simply be walked in search of artifacts. Once an artifact has been found, that particular area can be searched more closely.