Interested in discovering Indian artifact tools? Do you want to learn what tools were utilized by Indians in the past? Read our guide for more facts and information…
Many Indian artifacts that are found today are made of stone. This is because the stone tools were better able to survive weather and time. Today we are able to learn about other used materials through documentation but also by deducing what stone pieces would have been connected to form complete tools.
Hammers and Saws
The hammer was an important tool to Indian culture. Hammers were crafted out of stone and often designed without handles. The artifact was shaped though carving; although the tool often resembles a stone block more than a modern day hammer. Larger hammers have also been found that would have been utilized by two or more men such as pile drivers and sledges.
Saws are another important Indian tool. These artifacts were created out of stone and formed through rubbing and carving. Sand and water were required to create this Indian tool. Indian saws often feature a serrated edge that forms the saws teeth. The tool was only useful on soft materials such as wood as the teeth of the saw were easily broken. It was also popular to use this tool as a scraper when cleaning hunted game.
Knives
Knives are another important Indian tool. The artifacts were made of chipped or ground stone for the most part, although it was also not unheard of to use teeth, bone, shell or wood. The stone knives, however, are the most commonly found and were likely the most durable and effective. The stone part of the knife is comparable to a modern day steel blade. Today the blade is attached to a handle and in the past the Indians also occasionally secured the stone piece to a wooden handle; however, a handle was not necessary. Knives today are often found as artifacts in broken pieces as the tool was very fragile.
Axes
Another Indian tool was the axe. The axes created were commonly constructed of stone as well. The axes were created in a variety of styles ranging from flaked to polished to plain to grooved. The stone axe artifacts served various purposes in Indian culture. The axe was used for everyday purposes but also ceremonial events. Due to the fact that this artifact had varying purposes it also was designed in different weights ranging from a few ounces to a few pounds. It is also of note that the axe was commonly hand held; however, it was also occasionally attached to a handle. If the blade was attached to a handle it was possible to adjust the blade to transform the tool.
Arrowheads
Arrowheads are some of the most common Indian artifacts. These tools are found in a variety of shapes and colors depending on the location and time period they were created in. The tool was traditionally made of stone although wooden arrowheads with stone tips have also been discovered. The arrowheads were an important tool as it allowed the Indians to sustain their diet through hunting.
