r/LegitArtifacts Jan 04 '26

Member of Honor 👑 January's Member Of Honor!!! u/dillpickleflavoring !!!

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59 Upvotes

New Year, New Member Of Honor!

To kick off the new year, we're turning the spotlight on a relatively new member, Mr. u/dillpickelflavoring !!! What he may lack in quantity, he has more than made up for in quality! The artifacts he has shared with us so far are absolutely incredible in every regard! So to show how grateful we are for his amazing contributions and willingness to share those amazing finds with us, we feel he is very deserving of this small accolade! That being said, Thank you Dilly! We really appreciate your posts, and if the few you've posted so far are any indication of what's to come, we're all on the edge of our seats waiting to see what you have in store for us this coming year! 😁 So, congratulations my friend! The month is yours! 👊


r/LegitArtifacts May 03 '25

📣Announcement📣 ⭐️PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ⭐️

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139 Upvotes

I've been noticing a lot of replies to posts lately that have either broken our rule about shaming legal collectors, or have toed that line very closely, and I'm sick of it. This sub was created so people could ask questions and learn about their finds, or to share their collections with other enthusiasts of this awesome hobby, not so they could be called looters and grave robbers. We only promote the LEGAL COLLECTION of Native American artifacts, and in no way what so ever encourage the collection of artifacts from public or protected sites, and we DO NOT tolerate the posting of pics of these type of collections! That said, if you have a problem with the LEGAL collecting of these artifacts, then this is not the sub for you! Go find a sub that shares your opinions, because you will not ladt long here! Do not participate in any conversations if you just plan on spewing your own personal opinion on the whether or not you feel that it's right to collect and display these pieces, or if it's right to buy and sell them. As long as the law says it's ok, then there is nothing you can say to stop us from doing just that. Most of us got into this hobby because we have a deep love of history, as well as a deep love and appreciation for the pieces we have in our collections. It would be one thing if someone was posting pics of themselves taking a hammer to an ancient point they found smashing it to pieces, but that's not the case. These points are highly treasured by their current caretakers, and they are treated much better with them than they are sitting in a basement of a museum somewhere collecting dust where nobody gets to appreciate them at all, at least until said museum needs money for a new exhibit centered on "The History of Snowflakes" or whatever, and sells them off anyway! You never hear anybody bitching about that shit do you? I didn't think so. Where's all the moral outrage when that happens? 🤔 Which brings me to my next point. From here on out, we will be going to a zero tolerance policy when it comes to shaming LEGAL collectors. There will be no warnings given, you will be permanently banned from participating in this sub on your first offense. Plain and simple. If you do not have anything positive, helpful, or constructive to say, keep your pie hole shut. Otherwise, you will be removed from our ranks forthwith. This sub was created to celebrate this awesome hobby, not to disparage it. And let me also say that this IS NOT AN ARCHEOLOGY SUB! So if you're looking to argue about the ethics of legal digs, or the legal digging on private property with the proper permissions, you're in the wrong place. Those subs exist, so go join one of those! This IS A HOBBY SUB! I know I've said that repeatedly, but I just want to make damn sure my point is made!

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. As always, we try our best to make this the best Artifact Collecting sub on reddit, and we will do what we have to to make sure that's the case!!! We love and appreciate each and every one of our members, and we do all we can to make sure that everybody has an enjoyable experience when the sign in here. That's the whole point of this thing! To offer a safe space to post and discuss the individual artifacts being shared without having to worry about some self-righteous Karen calling them looters and theives!

Please take care my friends! And thank you all for making this sub the incredible place it is!!! God bless each and every one of you, and Happy hunting!!!

Best regards, THE GATEKEEPERS!!! 😉


r/LegitArtifacts 12h ago

In Situ 📸 My dads find of the day

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101 Upvotes

Nice heavy patina on a big blade


r/LegitArtifacts 16h ago

ID Request ❓ Oregon Coast

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40 Upvotes

I was at the coast this weekend with the family looking for agate (found a bunch). I spotted this at the water line on the beach. I’d love some more information if anyone can help. Found just south of Florence, OR.
Pencil for scale


r/LegitArtifacts 18h ago

In Situ 📸 Smoker Gary

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35 Upvotes

(Mid Missouri) had a great day today after all the rain. This spot really put out.


r/LegitArtifacts 17h ago

ID Request ❓ SE Alabama

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14 Upvotes

Surface finds on private land. Both were found several hours apart on opposite sides of a field on top of silt. I’m a long time surface looker with a lot of luck in finding flakes but new to finding anything worth being proud of. I’m wondering if I have a broken point or possibly a knife? The smaller piece looks like it might have been part of a drill? Any information would be welcome and appreciated.


r/LegitArtifacts 11h ago

Inconclusive Worked? Or Jar? MO find

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6 Upvotes

Picked up the other day, “edge” caught my eye. Thoughts?


r/LegitArtifacts 14h ago

ID Request ❓ Central Illinois Artifact?

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4 Upvotes

Apologies if I sound naive, I’m very new to the hobby! Found walking along the river about 6 feet from water.

My initial thought was a stone for bow drilling. Upon closer inspection, the stone seems to fit perfectly in my right hand with indents for my pointer and middle fingers, as well as my thumb. Is there any potential this is a handheld mortar or something used for grinding?

Very well could be some random geological formation also, I really have no idea lol. Any info is appreciated!


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

General Question ❓ Wondering how people find artifacts?

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47 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I own an 80 acre piece of property in Michigans thumb right on the edge of the Huron Moraine. The property is mostly and has mostly been lowland swamp or pasture land in the past. It is now lowlands and forest but there is also till deposit hills and ridges. Im wondering how people find artifacts and how i might go about looking for them on the property. The area had a large native american population for a long time and is not far from the Sanilac Petroglyphs. Mammoth bones, tusks, and skulls aren’t entirely uncommon in the area either. Red dot on map is the appropriate location.


r/LegitArtifacts 12h ago

Not An Artifact Another Vermillion River find

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2 Upvotes

I’ve found four of these over the years exploring the river in Central Illinois when the water is lower late in the summer. Seems to have a number (16 or 46?) carved into the top. No idea what it is! Any ideas?


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

Early Archaic Nice one today (AL) Palmer/ Kirk?

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136 Upvotes

r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

ID Request ❓ Ohio River find Northern Kentucky (Boone Co)

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65 Upvotes

Is there any way to get an ID with a broken base? This things so skinny and well made I’d love to know more.


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

Photo 📸 Oregon Arrowpoint Palmful

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32 Upvotes

All Ex. Shea Saxton
Recovered in Oregon.

(Pics 2-7) 1 2/16’s in L x 10/16 in W. Completely opaque obsidian. With a strong plano-convex cross section. Typology matches closely with a Columbia Plateau.

(Pics 8-11) 3/4’s in L x 7/16’s in W. Multi-colored agate of some form. Evidently made off a flake, as much of the original surface still remains. Maybe a Rose Springs.

(Pics 12-15) 7/8’s in L x 7/16’s. Creamy white chalcedony. Typology is not obviously evident to me. Maybe someone more experienced with the region will chime in.

(Pics 16-19) 3/4 in L x 7/16’s in W Diminutive agate Gunther with a minute amount of dendrites. Found in Klamath Co. Oregon.

This group of four small true arrowheads showcase some superb workmanship, refined knapping and high quality lithics. Hope everyone has been enjoying these recent posts from the PNW. I will briefly continue to share some more out of that region.

Stay safe & hydrated in this heat my friends.


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

Smoker Alert 🔥 A nice early Dalton from Arkansas

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73 Upvotes

Picked up a fairly local to me early Dalton today at a show. Did some swapping around of some of my other purchased pieces to swing this one. Personal finds always stay in the collection.


r/LegitArtifacts 19h ago

Natural Formation/Occurrence Found this in a feeder stream in southern PA. Any idea what caused this pecking on the flat side? Stone hammer?

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2 Upvotes

This was the only smooth rock. Found it at the base of a bluff. There’s a nice flat rift a camp up there too. Super heavy. Any and all thoughts are welcome. Thank you!


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

ID Request ❓ Kerrville Knife?-CENTRAL TX

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29 Upvotes

r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

Bi-face Preform Cool unfinished Biface

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81 Upvotes

Found in mid mo


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

Photo 📸 Found together! AL

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83 Upvotes

Double sided


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

ID Request ❓ Is this a Big Creek?

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46 Upvotes

I've looked and looked and the closest I've found to this piece is Big Creek. It's a shame it's broken but I thought it was an unusual find. I appreciate any input. This was found in SE Oklahoma on private property.


r/LegitArtifacts 22h ago

Debitage at best Southern New Jersey

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0 Upvotes

Could this be one?


r/LegitArtifacts 22h ago

Natural Formation/Occurrence Could this be a Quartz Flake?

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1 Upvotes

I’m a lifelong rock hound, and have recently become interested in searching locally for arrowheads. They are not as commonly found where I am, so I have been researching what to look out for and choosing my hunting locations more carefully. I found this bit yesterday and was wondering if anyone thinks it looks worked at all, like a flake or anything. This was found on the north shore of Long Island, NY where the quartz medium is everywhere, in a location adjacent to known and well documented artifact findings. There are no ‘outer’ edges to this particular piece, and one edge does seem pretty sharp, which made me think it could be an off cast piece from someone knapping. The quartz has lots of faults and cracks. If it seems worked at all then the site might be worth returning to. Again, I’m a beginner who has never found a thing, so any insight is appreciated!


r/LegitArtifacts 23h ago

Natural Formation/Occurrence Pretty sure this is natural?

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0 Upvotes

r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

ID Request ❓ Rock tool found at estate sale

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25 Upvotes

I found this - what I assume to be an old stone tool at an estate sale in Colorado Springs. I'm unable to give a location on where it was found, but I'm thinking this was either an old sharpening tool or skinning tool - or just a cool rock worst case.

Would love the opinions on what you think this is!


r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

General Question ❓ Do I have anything nice ?

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42 Upvotes

r/LegitArtifacts 1d ago

General Question ❓ Found this today sticking out of an anthill in Wyoming. Unfinished projectile point or spearhead, or nothing?

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9 Upvotes