How to Identify Indian Artifacts & Rocks | Synonym (2024)

How to Identify Indian Artifacts & Rocks | Synonym (1)

CAPRICE CASTANO

How to Identify Indian Artifacts & Rocks | Synonym (2)

29 SEP 2017

CLASS

How to Identify Indian Artifacts & Rocks | Synonym (4)

Indian artifacts and rocks used as tools or construction material are a fascinating archaeological find almost anyone can make. Because Native Americans covered most of the North American continent before Europeans settled, the artifacts of their passing are relatively abundant if you know where to look. Identification of these items is based on a few simple observations of the artifacts to determine if it is a find of Indian origin and what it might have been used for.

Note the location of the area you are looking or have found an existing artifact. Settlements near rivers were common as travel by waterways was useful and water was a necessary resource. A search near a a river or old river bed may yield artifacts and rocks used by the inhabitants.

Compare the shape of the artifact or rock to items known to be used by native people. Arrowheads are common artifacts, as well as sharpened rocks for skinning or cutting animals. Pottery or shards of pottery are obvious man-used materials, which can then be further examined for origin. If the shape of the item looks like it has been altered for human use, it may be an Indian artifact.

Examine the material of the item to compare to known Indian tribes or commonly used materials from the area of the previous inhabitants. Items like animal skins or natural fibers don't often withstand the elements or deterioration of time unless they have been protected. Rock, pottery or bone artifacts can often be found intact. Determine if the material is consistent with the native inhabitants and compare it to documented items used by tribes in that particular area for comparison.

Take the item to a local expert for the native people in the area. A museum or archeology department at the local college may have displays or documentation and staff familiar with the area's previous inhabitants and have the expertise to help identify your artifact or rock as being part of a native collection.

About the Author

Caprice Castano recently left the field of construction management to operate her own contracting business and spend time developing her writing career. Current projects include freelance writing for Internet publications and working on novel-length fiction.

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How to Identify Indian Artifacts & Rocks | Synonym (2024)

FAQs

Is there an app to identify artifacts? ›

You can download the app for free at https://arcg.is/0n5ni8 or by scanning the QR code in the handy mdFIND flyer available at https://mht.maryland.gov/documents/PDF/research/mdFIND.pdf. The app will even work directly from a web browser with no download needed: just follow the simple prompts to report your find to MHT.

Is my rock an artifact? ›

A core is the first stage of lithic reduction, where the rock is considered an artifact. Typically a natural rock is broken into one or more lithic cores, which will be reduced to usable flakes and tools. Flakes are relatively thin shards of stone precisely removed from a stone core.

How do I identify my rock? ›

Hardness
  1. Very Soft Rocks: Won't scratch your fingernail, glass, or steel.
  2. Soft Rocks: Will scratch your fingernail, but won't scratch glass or steel.
  3. Medium Rocks: Will scratch your fingernail and glass, but won't scratch steel.
  4. Hard Rocks: Will scratch your fingernail, glass, and steel.

Is there an app to identify Indian artifacts? ›

Artifact.id grants you access to thousands of subject experts who can help you identify, evaluate and recommend personalized services that relate to your collection.

Can I take a picture to find out what something is? ›

You can learn more about an image or the objects around you with Google Lens. For example, you can take a photo of a plant and use it to search for info or other similar images.

Can I take a picture of an item and find it on the Internet? ›

In a nutshell, Goggles lets users search for objects using images rather than words. Simply take a picture with your phone's camera, and if we recognize the item, Goggles returns relevant search results.

How can I take a picture of something and identify it? ›

Best App for Searching for Anything and Everything: Google Lens. With Google Lens, all you have to do is point and shoot at any object, and Google Lens does a pretty good job of telling you what it is. I took a picture of a flowering plant I'm growing on my terrace and found it's an Alyssum.

What do I do if I think I found an artifact? ›

Leave It Be

Artifacts are not souvenirs! Leave the artifact where you found it. Please don't pick it up, move it, throw it, put it in your pocket or your bag, or bury it.

How do you authenticate Native American artifacts? ›

Having an official certificate from the IAGA will ensure the preservation of the artifact's provenance and historical information. The grade assigned, along with the classification, can be used to determine the approximate value and rarity of the artifact.

What are 5 ways to identify a rock? ›

Using Characteristics of Minerals to Identify Them
  1. Hardness. The ability to resist being scratched—or hardness—is one of the most useful properties for identifying minerals. ...
  2. Luster. Luster is how a mineral reflects light. ...
  3. Color. One of the most obvious properties of a mineral is color. ...
  4. Streak. ...
  5. Specific Gravity.

Can I take a picture of a rock and identify it? ›

Rock Identifier: Stone ID

Rock Identifier app allows you to take a photo of any crystals or gemstones and get an instant accurate identification. This crystal identifier app helps you to ldentify and learn about any crystal, rock or gemstone you find.

How do I know if a rock I found is valuable? ›

The Hardness Test

The harder a mineral is, the more likely it is to be valuable. If you can scratch the mineral with your fingernail, it has a hardness of 2.5 Mohs, which is very soft. If you can scratch it with a penny, its hardness is 3 Mohs, and if it takes a piece of glass to scratch it, the hardness is 5.5 Mohs.

What is the easiest way to identify rocks and minerals? ›

Minerals can be identified based on a number of properties. The properties most commonly used in identification of a mineral are colour, streak, lustre, hardness, crystal shape, cleavage, specific gravity and habit. Most of these can be assessed relatively easily even when a geologist is out in the field.

What are 6 characteristics of identifying rocks? ›

Properties that help geologists identify a mineral in a rock are: color, hardness, luster, crystal forms, density, and cleavage.

Is there an app that can identify rocks? ›

Handbook of Rocks is a free android applicant with a complete list of all rock types. Nearly all rocks can be classified according to their origin into three major groups. These divisions include igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.

Where can I get Native American artifacts appraised? ›

Native American Art Appraisals, Inc.
  • (855) 622-2462.
  • www.naaainc.com.

Who can authenticate Indian artifacts? ›

Indian Artifact Grading Authority. The IAGA, headed by Joseph Mattingly, is the premiere evaluation service for establishing the authenticity, value and provenance of Indian artifact-based assets.

Can I take a picture of something and have Google find it? ›

Take or upload a photo to use for your search: To take a photo: With your camera, point to an object and tap Search. . To upload an existing image: Tap Photo picker.

Is there an app to take a picture of something to find its value? ›

Google Lens is a free app for iOS and Android devices.

Can you take a picture of something and Google tell you what it is? ›

Google Lens can identify real-world objects with your camera and find information about them. To use Google Lens with your camera, you must have an Android phone. You can also use Google Lens through the Google Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.

Is there a free app to identify antiques? ›

Hallmarks - Identify Antique on the App Store.

Can I take a picture of an item and find out where to buy it? ›

You can take a photo with the Amazon search camera, scan a barcode, or upload a photo directly from your camera roll. Amazon will then automatically search for the most closely related purchase options available. You can then have these items delivered to your home in a few easy clicks.

How can iPhone camera identify objects? ›

Use Visual Look Up to identify objects in your photos on iPhone
  1. Open a photo in full screen; ...
  2. Swipe up on the photo or tap .
  3. Tap the icon that appears on the photo or at the top of the photo information results to view Siri Knowledge and more information about the object.
  4. Tap.

What to do if you find Indian artifacts on your property? ›

Unless you know there was an ancient village on your land, don't bother digging. Most artifacts will be spotted on the surface. Though rarely found, Indian graves or human remains of any kind should be reported to authorities.

Can I keep artifacts found on my property? ›

In the United States, it is legal to collect artifacts from private property if you have written permission from the landowner. Other requirements are dependent on the state. If you are interested in collecting or metal detecting on private property, contact your State Historic Preservation Office for more information.

What are the most valuable Native American artifacts? ›

Most Valuable Native American Artifacts Ever Sold:
  • Hopi Kachina Figure – $43,750.
  • Classic Navajo Child's Blanket – $43,750.
  • Wahpeton Sioux Effigy Wood Stem and Catlinite Pipe Bowl – $25,000.
  • Arrowhead from 4000 BC – $10,000 – 20,000.
  • Plains Indians Tomahawk – $6000 – 8000.

What kind of rocks did Native Americans use? ›

Flint, agate, and obsidian were used for knives. Sandstone, basalt, and granite were used for mortars and pestles. Sulfur was used as a medicine. Early humans also used ground minerals as pigment in rock paintings.

What are 2 examples of artifacts from the Native Americans? ›

Rawhide, native tanned leather, glass beads, porcupine quills, metal cones, horsehair.

What are the 3 types of artifacts? ›

The Types of Artifacts. There are three main categories that software artifacts fall under. These are code-related artifacts, project management artifacts, and documentation.

What are the 4 types of artifacts? ›

The following are common types of artifact.
  • Historical & Cultural. Historic and cultural items such as a historic relic or work of art.
  • Media. Media such as film, photographs or digital files that are valued for their creative or information content.
  • Knowledge. ...
  • Data.
19 Apr 2017

How do I identify my Native American stone tools? ›

Determine if your suspected Native American stone tool is a man-made object or a natural geological rock formation. Look at it under a microscope for signs of being worked. Search for evidence of pecking, sanding or knapping. Examine artifacts found at known Native American habitation and hunting sites.

What 2 characteristics are used to identify rocks? ›

There are two different ways that rocks are often classified; the first is based on the processes by which they form, in which rocks are classified as either sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Rocks are also commonly classified by grain or crystal size.

What is the best app for identifying rocks and minerals? ›

You Might Also Like
  • Crystal Identifier Rock Finder. Education.
  • Crystal Guide: Stones, Rocks. Reference.
  • Rock : Crystal Gemstones Guide. Reference.
  • Stone Identifier Rock ID. Education.
  • Mineral Identifier Rock Finder. Education.
  • Rock Identifier Crystal Finder. Education.

What is the most accurate rock identification app? ›

The Smart Geology- Mineral Guide is going to be your best option when it comes to looking for high quality, free rockhounding apps. It's incredibly easy to use and has an excellent user interface. As far as free apps goes, this is definitely one of the best for helping you identify minerals you have in your collection.

How can I tell what kind of rock I have? ›

Look for crystals in igneous rocks. Examples of igneous rocks are gabbro, granite, pumice and obsidian. Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have become changed by intense heat or pressure while forming. One way to tell if a rock sample is metamorphic is to see if the crystals within it are arranged in bands.

How do I know if I have an Indian artifact? ›

Native American Artifact Identification Tips
  • In arrowheads and spearheads, look for a clear point and a defined edge and base. ...
  • For Native American stone artifacts, identify the variety of stone used in the construction. ...
  • In bone and shell tools, look for irregularities when compared to the original shape of the material.

How do you identify a stone tool? ›

There are two types of stone tools identified: ground stone tools including manos (grinding stones-left) and hand axes, and flaked stone tools including knives, scrapers and projectile points (arrow heads and spear points-above). All points have basic parts consisting of a stem, base and blade.

What kind of rock is Indian Rock? ›

Composed of Northbrae rhyolite, Indian Rock is a lava remnant. Native Ohlone communities gathered at these outcroppings. Here they ground acorns into flour with stone pestles, eventually wearing bowl-like depressions in the rock.

What type of rock did Indians use for arrowheads? ›

For arrowheads, or projectile points, they relied on a variety of resources, primarily stone, bone, and antler. Chert, flint, and obsidian were the types of rock most often obtained to manufacture these early lithic points.

What should I do if I discover an Indian site or find artifacts? ›

Please don't post them on social media. Show a park ranger your pictures and the location of the artifact. If you cannot find a ranger, use the “Contact Us” form on the park's website to email the information. Federal law protects archeological sites and artifacts on federal lands.

How do you get an artifact appraised? ›

How to get an appraisal on an artifact
  1. American Society of Appraisers: Website | Toll free: 800.272.8258.
  2. Appraisers Association of America: Website | Phone: 212.889.5404.
  3. International Society of Appraisers: Website | Toll free: 888.472.5461.

Is there a free app to identify rocks? ›

1. Stone Identifier Rock Scanner Rock Identifier. If you are looking for a free app that enables you to identify rocks and stones simply by photographing them with your mobile phone, you should definitely try Rock identifier. It's that simple!

Is there an app to identify rocks and stones? ›

Rock Identifier is an all-in-one stone, crystal, mineral, and gemstone identifier. Simply take or upload a photo of a rock or crystal, and the app will tell you all about it in seconds.

Where are Indian Rocks Found? ›

The Archean or Purana rock system in India is found in Aravallis mountains, 2/3rd of the Deccan peninsula and some parts of north east. These rocks have abundant metallic and non-metallic minerals such as iron, copper, manganese, bauxite, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tin, tungsten, mica, asbestos, graphite, etc.

What stone is India famous for? ›

Some of our most celebrated diamonds—including the infamous Hope and Koh-i-Noor—originated from India's famed Golconda mining area. The Indian aristocracy kept the best for themselves and traded the balance for emeralds, rubies, sapphires, spinels and pearls from all corners of the earth.

Which rock is oldest in India? ›

The newly found zircon crystals in the Kendujhar district of Odisha are the oldest yet unearthed from Indian soil. Like Earth's oldest zircons – aged about 4.4 billion years found in the Jack Hills in Western Australia2 – they predate the first recorded rocks on Earth, estimated to be 3.9 billion years old.

What is the best rock for arrowheads? ›

The best stones for making arrowheads include flint, chert, obsidian, jasper, quartzite and other stones that are somewhat brittle and have a fine-grained, uniform texture that is free of cracks, fissures, and fractures. Glass and porcelain can also be used. You can also tap the stone and listen to the pitch.

What is a nutting stone Indian artifact? ›

European accounts suggest nutting stones were used to make mast (harvested nuts) by placing the nut on the stone and cracking it using a wooden or stone hammer. Nuts such as hiquara (hickory), pakan (pecan), ahsmenuns (walnut), and anaskimmins (acorn) played an important role in the Virginia Indian diet.

Why are there so many arrowheads found? ›

Myths: Weapons and Warfare

The reason there are so many projectile points to be found, even after centuries of determined collecting, is that the technology is a very old one: people have been making points to hunt animals for over 200,000 years.

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