Arrowhead Use

• Arrowheads were used by Native Americans for hunting game and as weapons and other cutting devices. They were strapped to the tips of polls for spears or had a wooden handle strapped on for a hand held tool such as a knife. They were made mainly by the elderly men that could not go out hunting any longer, but still knew how the weapons needed to be formed. This gave them a use and helped them stay productive.
  
  

Types of Stone Used

• In most cases, arrowheads were made out of a stone that was flaky such as volcanic glass, jasper or flint. These types of stones have layers to them that chip off easily when pressure is applied in just the right way. Because the arrowheads needed to be different shapes depending on what was being hunted, and due to the difficulty involved in making them, it was revered as an art form. Those that could make the arrowheads for the tribe were well appreciated.
  
  

Location and Preparation

• Since certain rocks were valuable for arrowhead making because of their special qualities, Native Americans would travel great distances to obtain them. Volcanic rocks are an example of this and are mainly found in places like the area around Yellowstone. Flint was considered second best, and was mainly found in the Ohio area. Once found, the rocks were taken back to the tribe for the actual carving. The stones were placed in the ground for a time to allow moisture to soak, making them easier to work with, then they were pulled out and broken into smaller pieces that eventually became arrowheads.