The Southeast is well seasoned with rich history and hunting cultures dating back thousands of years.  Native Americans hunted for meat and sustenance using arrowheads, spears, and various projectile points. The land is brimming with artifacts but the majority lay covered and will likely never be exposed.  However, artifacts can be discovered by understanding how and where Native Americans hunted and lived throughout the South.  

I’m fascinated by early American cultures and routinely walk my farm searching for “treasures” as my kids call it. Many are found randomly without rhyme or reason, but most are located using knowledge of terrain features.  Over time, I’ve learned where and specifically when to explore. Even for a couple minutes while walking to climb a tree.

Native Americans were highly skilled and utilized the land to their advantage; hunting many of the same locations we do for deer, turkey and other game species.  As I hunt these same haunts, I wonder how game was pursued on my farm thousands of years ago. Based on the quantity and time periods of artifacts found, it must have been abundant with game and forage. There is a distinct correlation with artifacts and land that has been historically rich with game.   

Bottomland
It’s no secret for Southern hunters that swamps and bottomlands are strongholds for game.  Much of whitetail deer restocking in the early 1900s came from swampland.  Both wild turkeys and deer thrive within these ecosystems.  This habitat provides food options and safety through treacherous terrain that keeps most predators at bay.  These landscapes and the immediate perimeters should be targeted for artifacts.  They will be hard to spot within dense sections, but the relics are present. 

Water Systems
Rivers, creek beds and natural spring heads are perfect to scan as they are ever flowing and churning debris.  Heavy rainfall will often expose items once the water subsides.  Creeks that swell post rain can flush debris covering artifacts. Water is life and Natives certainly based cultures and lifestyles around it.  These tight waterways are historical travel corridors for humans and wildlife.  Spend time and you’ll likely be rewarded.  

High Ground
Upland sites adjacent to wetlands, swamps and creeks are prime to find flakes, various tools and points. Flakes and chips are byproducts from stone work.  Scrapers, grinding stones and other tools can be unearthed at these locations.  If you find chips and flakes, start looking and scour the immediate area. Many broken arrowheads and spear tips can be found that were discarded during production or re-sharpening. Points were also snapped for cultural reasons that we don’t fully understand. Ceremonies and rituals. I’ve found many snapped points at camp sites.

Fields
Open land in crop production, food plots, and old fields are perfect landscapes to search. You should walk these areas anytime they are tilled, planted or burned.  Especially, if adjacent to low lying land which can be, as small as, dry ponds or watersheds.    

Rainfall
Rain routinely unearths artifacts.  Heavy rain will push stones to the surface for easy detection.  I find more points and tools post storms than any other time.  Roadways, firebreaks, fields and any exposed dirt are excellent to walk.  If you find some, always circle back after the next storm as more will be uncovered. Summertime provides many opportunities with afternoon thunderstorms.

Harrowing

Disking targeted areas is a highly productive method to expose artifacts. I often harrow sandhills and wait for rain to flush out buried history. Other areas to consider are those that yield high quantities. Once you collect surface artifacts, work a harrow to uncover what’s buried.

Spotting
A keen eye is imperative for detection.  Focus on any and all rock and stone shapes that are out of place.  Meaning surfaces where you shouldn’t see many stones of any size.  I check most rocks that are partially buried unless it’s close to gravel roads or any rocks that have been added for landscaping or road repair purposes.  Over time, you should be able to quickly glance across the ground and spot colors and shapes different from leaves, bark and other debris.  Much of the Deep South is not littered with stones so any spotted should always be questioned.

Arrowheads can be easily identified using internet resources and publications.  My go-to book is the Overstreet Indian Arrowheads ID.  An excellent online resource is https://www.projectilepoints.net/.  As with anything, always secure permission on private land.