Is there an app for identifying arrowheads?

Yes — PointFinder is an AI-powered arrowhead identification app that lets you photograph any arrowhead or projectile point and receive instant identification from a database of 4,700+ North American point types. It provides the type name, cultural affiliation, time period, geographic region, material, and a confidence score. PointFinder uses GPT-4 Vision and visual similarity matching for accurate results. Available as a web app, iOS app, and Android app.

What is the best arrowhead identification app?

PointFinder is widely considered the most comprehensive arrowhead identification app, with the largest database of 4,700+ projectile point types covering all of North America. Unlike other apps that only offer basic identification, PointFinder combines AI photo scanning with 26+ interactive map layers for finding hunting spots, a marketplace for buying and selling artifacts, a community platform, 60+ educational articles, trip planning tools, and a campground directory — all in one app.

How do I identify a projectile point I found?

To identify a projectile point, take a clear photo of it (ideally on a plain background with a scale reference) and upload it to PointFinder's AI scanner. The app analyzes the point's shape, flaking patterns, material, and proportions, then compares it against 4,700+ known types to provide likely matches with detailed information about each type's culture, time period, and geographic distribution. You can also browse the full gallery of types to compare manually.

Where can I find arrowheads near me?

PointFinder's interactive map features 26+ data layers to help you find productive arrowhead hunting locations. These include archaeological hotspot maps, community-reported find locations, creek systems (where artifacts erode out), public land boundaries, Native American territory overlays, lithic source locations, and campground directories. The app also includes a trip planner and GPS hunt tracker for your expeditions.

How many types of arrowheads are there in North America?

There are thousands of recognized projectile point types across North America, spanning over 15,000 years of human history. PointFinder's database catalogs 4,700+ distinct types, including well-known ones like Clovis, Folsom, Dalton, Kirk, Thebes, Lost Lake, and many more. Each type is classified by cultural affiliation, time period, geographic region, material preferences, and diagnostic characteristics.

Iowa Arrowheads and Projectile Points

Name: PointFinder
Author: PointFinder

This catalog-backed guide explores projectile point references that explicitly mention Iowa. It is an identification starting point, not a record of private finds or archaeological site locations.

Arrowhead Types Referenced for Iowa

Cahokia — Middle Mississippian , 1,000-850 CE
Central Plains Triangular — Central Plains Tradition , 900-1,450 CE
Durst Minnesota — Late Archaic transitioning Woodland , 3,000 B.P.
Durst Stemmed — Late Archaic , 800-600 BCE
Durst Stemmed — Late Archaic , 3,000 BCE
Durst Stemmed Iowa — Late Archaic transitional , 3,000 BP
Effigy Mound — Effigy Mound Culture , 100-1400 CE
Grant Side-Notched Iowa — Late Woodland-Middle Mississippian , 1,050-1,150 CE
Hardin Barbed — Early Archaic , 8,000-6,000 BCE
Iowa Point — Iowa , 800-150 years ago
Iowa River Point — Late Woodland , 1,000-600 years ago
Kiowa Apache Point — Kiowa Apache , 500-150 years ago

Indigenous History and Cultural Periods

Paleo-Indian (12,000-8,000 BCE): Early hunters on the prairie, Clovis traditions
Archaic (8,000-500 BCE): Diverse hunting and gathering adaptations
Woodland (500 BCE-1,200 CE): Effigy Mound culture, pottery traditions
Oneota (1,000-1,650 CE): Mill Creek culture, agricultural villages

How to Identify a Iowa Arrowhead

Compare the base, stem, notches, flaking, material, and overall outline with the linked type guides. Similar point styles can span neighboring regions and long periods, so provenance and expert review still matter.

Review artifact collection laws before collecting or disturbing any site.

Scan your arrowhead free with PointFinder