Indian Artifact

Types of Indian Artifacts

There are many different types of Indian artifacts. The most sought after collectibles include arrowheads, pottery, and beadwork.

Arrowheads

As long as 15,000 years ago, Indians made arrowheads from different types of stone, such as flint and obsidian, to use in hunting. Arrowheads can be found all over the world, and many of those who collect arrowheads love searching for them, while others purchase arrowheads for their collections.

It is important for arrowhead collectors to be able to recognize and classify them by point type. Details on arrowhead typology classification can be found at the Arrowheads Plus Indian artifact library.

Jason Hanna, author of Antique Trader’s Indian Arrowhead’s Price Guide, has created a virtual gallery of his extensive collection. It can be viewed at ArrowheadWorld. Additionally, sites like the Texas Arrowheads virtual museum features examples of all types of arrowheads found in Texas, including some that are believed to be more than 12,000 years old.

Pottery

Native American pottery is admired for its utilitarian characteristics as well as the sheer artistry and skill that enabled American Indians to create these vessels with nothing more than clay, water, and their hands.

Antique Indian pottery is among the most valuable of collectible items. Prehistoric Indian pottery can cost thousands of dollars per piece, as evidenced on the Schenck Southwest Publishing website. Even shards of pottery are valued for their ability to help us learn about ancient Indian culture, although it is intact pieces that really appeal to those building collections for display.

You can view additional examples of Indian pottery at the Arizona State Museum’s virtual tour of southwestern Indian pottery.

Native American Beadwork

Indian beadwork is popular among Indian artifact collectors. Early Indians used beads to create jewelry as well as to adorn a variety of objects, including clothing, headdresses, artwork, and more. Some of the most sought after and valuable examples were made during the 1880s from small glass “seed” beads that early European settlers brought to the new world and then traded to Native Americans.

However, the Indians created beadwork long before Europeans came to North America. The earliest examples of Native American beads were carved from readily available organic substances including animal parts (such as bones, horns, and teeth), metals (such as copper and silver), shells, stones (such as coral and turquoise), and even wood. Authentic artifacts made from such materials are rare and very valuable.

The Fighting Bear’s virtual gallery showcases an impressive collection of Indian beadwork. You can view additional examples at Len Wood’s Indian Territory website.

Museum Exhibits

Some of the most significant examples of Native American artifacts are displayed in museums around the country.

• Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, IN
• Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT
• Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM
• Marin Museum of the American Indian in Novato, CA
• Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, IL
• National Museum of the American Indian includes sites in New York, Maryland, and Washington DC
• Noweta’s American Indian Museum in Portland, ME
• Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center in Mashantucket, CT
• Powhatan Renape Nation American Indian Museum on the grounds of the tribe’s reservation in Rancocas, NJ.
• Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Los Angeles, CA
• Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, NM

Learning More about Indian Artifacts

There are a number of excellent books and magazines full of information for those learning more about these treasures.

• Consider Subscribing to Indian Artifacts Magazine.
• Read Oklahoma Indian Artifacts online.
• Read the Arrowheads Plus online newspaper.
• Search Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble for Indian artifact books and collectible price guides.

Building Your Collection

There are many online retailers, collectors' shows, auctions, and other resources for finding Indian artifacts to start or expand your collection.

• Allard Auctions has been selling Native American artifacts at auction since 1968.
• Arrowheads.com publishes a master events list for North American Artifact Shows and Events.
• The Artifact Store specializes in genuine prehistoric Indian artifacts and points.
• BC Artifacts has an extensive selection of Native American artifacts.
• The DMOZ directory has a comprehensive list of antique stores and other resources for artifact collectors.
• eBay’s selection of artifacts is updated on a daily basis.
• Indian Territory carries thousands of artifacts, including an impressive selection of antique Indian art.
• Southwest Artifacts and Arrowheads specializes in authentic artifacts of all types and offers consignment for those interested in selling pieces.
• WinRelic.com is an online store for collectibles, antiques, and Indian relics.

Certification of Artifacts

Collectors are well advised to keep in mind that there is a big difference between Indian crafts and true artifacts. Indian crafts are being created and marketed via gift shops, online retailers, and other outlets today. While such items can be beautiful and serviceable, they are not antiques.

The following organizations offer professional artifact certification services that can help collectors can verify the authenticity of pieces they find or purchase.

• Arrowheads Plus Artifact Authentication Services
• Caddo Trading
• Hardstone House Authentication
• Jackson Galleries
• Mound City Relics
• Western Typology