finding arrowheads
How Did The Indians Make Arrowheads
How Did The Indians Make Arrowheads
How did the Indians make arrowheads? First step was to chip flakes off a core rock, then the flakes were shaped into an arrowhead. Basic tools were a smooth egg-shaped stone called a hammerstone used to break the core into flakes. A smooth flat stone was used for abrading. Pointed antlers or a small pointed stone were used to chip flakes off the edges crafting a serrated edge.
The most prized rock was obsidian and volcanic glass but any brittle stone with a uniform texture could be shaped into a workable projectile point. Most commonly used were flint, chert, jasper, and quartzite. Tribes where stone was scarce also used bone and fire-hardened wood.
After selecting a rock, the flintknapper strikes the core with a sharp blow. The flakes chipped off of the core are the raw material used to make a projectile point. The worker places the point of the antlers against the flake, and strikes the antlers with a stone to form the serrated edges. Edges were polished with a smooth rock until smooth and sharp, about 1/8 of an inch in thickness.
The projectile point had to be turned over frequently as it was worked to produce symmetry on both sides. Small arrowheads were made for hunting birds, medium for rabbits, raccoons, or turkeys. Large points were used for hunting deer, bear, or buffalo.
It took experience to recognize the best stones to work into points. An experienced flintknapper would choose a rock without cracks. He could tap a stone and listen to the pitch. Higher pitched stones were better to work with. The force and angle of the strike had to be precise to chip off triangular sections. The point had to be symmetrical to work properly so precise and detailed work was necessary every step of the way.
A practiced flintknapper could finish a projectile point in 20-30 minutes. The completed arrowhead would be attached to a shaft of light wood with twine or leather. Most tribes had 1 or 2 flintknappers who made all their arrowheads.
How Did The Indians Make Arrowheads
How Did The Indians Make Arrowheads
How did the Indians make arrowheads? First step was to chip flakes off a core rock, then the flakes were shaped into an arrowhead. Basic tools were a smooth egg-shaped stone called a hammerstone used to break the core into flakes. A smooth flat stone was used for abrading. Pointed antlers or a small pointed stone were used to chip flakes off the edges crafting a serrated edge.
The most prized rock was obsidian and volcanic glass but any brittle stone with a uniform texture could be shaped into a workable projectile point. Most commonly used were flint, chert, jasper, and quartzite. Tribes where stone was scarce also used bone and fire-hardened wood.
After selecting a rock, the flintknapper strikes the core with a sharp blow. The flakes chipped off of the core are the raw material used to make a projectile point. The worker places the point of the antlers against the flake, and strikes the antlers with a stone to form the serrated edges. Edges were polished with a smooth rock until smooth and sharp, about 1/8 of an inch in thickness.
The projectile point had to be turned over frequently as it was worked to produce symmetry on both sides. Small arrowheads were made for hunting birds, medium for rabbits, raccoons, or turkeys. Large points were used for hunting deer, bear, or buffalo.
It took experience to recognize the best stones to work into points. An experienced flintknapper would choose a rock without cracks. He could tap a stone and listen to the pitch. Higher pitched stones were better to work with. The force and angle of the strike had to be precise to chip off triangular sections. The point had to be symmetrical to work properly so precise and detailed work was necessary every step of the way.
A practiced flintknapper could finish a projectile point in 20-30 minutes. The completed arrowhead would be attached to a shaft of light wood with twine or leather. Most tribes had 1 or 2 flintknappers who made all their arrowheads.