Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Collect Antique Arrowheads
Get started on your collection by learning as much as you can about antique arrowheads. Books like 'Arrowheads &Stone Artifacts: A Practical Guide for the Amateur Archaeologist,' available at Amazon.com (see Resources below) give you an all-around look at the history of collecting arrowheads, what to look for in a good piece and how to distinguish authentic pieces from forgeries.
Make an effort to see every piece you collect in person before you buy. Holding arrowheads in your hand can tell you a lot about whether or not they're authentic. For example, true antique arrowheads tend to weigh about twice as much as their modern-casted counterparts.
Spend some time becoming familiar with the different types of lithic materials used for arrowheads. Each tribe in North America used different materials when constructing weapons. Research books are a valuable source on tribe materials, as are websites like the Authentic Artifacts Collectors Association, Inc. (see Resources below).
Ask for the history of the item, where it was found and by whom. Since there are strict regulations in place over the sale of authentic antique arrowheads, you'll want to make sure the pieces you're interested in are legitimate.
Be sure to get insurance coverage as soon as possible for the arrowheads you collect. Insurance is one of the most popular ways to make sure your investment isn't wasted because of a fire, flood, theft or other tragedy.
Organize the arrowheads you collect by cataloging them as soon as you purchase them. The information you catalog, including the date of purchase, price paid and history surrounding piece, may also help you get insurance coverage faster.
Store your antique arrowheads properly. When at all possible, a custom-made glass cabinet with secure locks may be the best bet. However, a curio cabinet kept away from the sun in a cool, dry room is also acceptable.