Professional Native American artifact authentication

Arrowhead & Indian Artifact Authentication

Find out if your arrowhead is real before you sell, insure or pass it down.
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Not sure if your arrowhead is authentic? Send us clear photos and our team will tell you whether it shows the signs of a genuine prehistoric artifact or a modern reproduction. Every request starts with a free initial review. For high-value pieces, we may ask you to ship the artifact for a closer, in-hand examination.



Reproductions of arrowheads, spear points and other prehistoric artifacts have been made for more than a century, and the best of them fool experienced collectors. Knowing what you have protects you whether you plan to sell, insure, inherit or simply enjoy your collection.

Looking for a value instead?

Authentication tells you what you have. If you also need to know what it is worth, visit our Arrowhead Appraisals page. Ready to sell? See We Buy Arrowheads.

what we look for

No single feature proves an arrowhead is real. Authentication means checking many signs together and asking whether they all tell the same story. Our review looks at:

  • Material: Is the flint, chert, obsidian or other stone consistent with the region and culture the point is attributed to?
  • Patina and surface aging: Genuine artifacts develop surface changes over thousands of years. We look for aging that is even, natural and consistent across flake scars, not stained, acid-treated or baked on.
  • Flaking pattern: How the point was shaped, from the percussion flakes to the fine pressure flaking along the edges, should match the techniques of its time period and type.
  • Wear and grinding: Edge wear, impact damage and basal grinding, where the base was dulled for hafting, should look like the result of real use and age.
  • Type and form: The shape, size and proportions should fit a recognized point type and the area it reportedly came from.
  • Signs of modern work: Fresh-looking flake scars, uniform "factory" flaking, tool marks and artificial aging are red flags for a reproduction.
  • Restoration and repair: Glued breaks, filled-in tips or ears and painted restorations change both authenticity and value, so we note them.
  • Provenance: Where and when the piece was found or bought, plus old labels, catalog numbers or collection records. Good history supports an opinion. It never replaces one.

disclaimer:

You agree that you will not hold us responsible for the accuracy, or inaccuracy, of the appraisal and so far as the law permits release, discharge, and absolve us for any damages of any kind, nature, or extent. All appraisals necessarily constitute professional judgment. Reasonable persons may disagree on the value of a particular item. An appraisal is our opinion based on the information provided; it is not a guarantee. Inaccurate information, poor-quality photographs, and other such factors may affect the accuracy of our opinion. In some cases, the appraiser will make an offer to purchase the appraised item; caution is advised and you are encouraged to obtain another appraisal report, in your discretion, before accepting the offer. 

LEGAL COMPLIANCE

WE BUY ONLY AUTHENTIC, LEGALLY OBTAINED RELICS

We Do Not Condone or Offer to Buy Any Artifact Recovered Illegally. If that is what you are looking for, please find another source.

By submitting artifacts to us, you certify that the artifacts were legally obtained in accordance to all federal and state laws. State laws may vary from state to state.