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.

South Dakota Arrowheads and Projectile Points

Name: PointFinder
Author: PointFinder

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

Arrowhead Types Referenced for South Dakota

Besant Complex — Besant/Sonota , 1,950-1,350 BP
Duncan Hanna McKean — McKean Complex , 3,700-2,500 BP (Duncan predominant 2000-1500 BCE, Hanna 1500-1000 BCE)
Hanna McKean — McKean Complex , 4,500-3,000 BCE
James River Point — Late Prehistoric , 1,000-300 years ago
Missouri River South Dakota Point — Late Prehistoric , 1,200-300 years ago
Plains Side Notch South Dakota — Late Prehistoric Plains , 700+ B.P.
Plains Side-Notched North — Northern Plains Late Prehistoric , Late Prehistoric
Prairie Side Notch South Dakota — Late Prehistoric Plains nomadic bison hunters , 1,300-700 B.P.
Prairie Side-Notched — One Gun Phase/Old Woman Complex , 1,300-700 BCE
White River South Dakota Point — Late Prehistoric , 1,200-300 years ago

Indigenous History and Cultural Periods

Paleo-Indian (12,000-8,000 BCE): Lange-Ferguson Clovis site, mammoth hunting
Archaic (8,000-500 BCE): McKean and Pelican Lake traditions
Woodland (500 BCE-900 CE): Sonota burial complex, burial mounds
Plains Village (900-1,700 CE): Middle Missouri tradition, fortified villages

How to Identify a South Dakota 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