Native American Artifacts

Native Americans created many things to help them live and survive. These items are now called artifacts. An artifact is a handmade object, like a tool, weapon, or ornament, that is from the past.

By CliffJackson [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Native Americans used materials and resources from the land to make these items. Stones, clay, grass, animal skins, shells, bones, and vegetable fibers were some of the resources used to create these pieces.

As you study the Native American artifacts in the slides below, think about what these items look like today. How have they changed over time with technology and the use of different materials available today?

Arrowheads Made from stone, arrowheads are a type of weapon for fighting or hunting. Cutting Tool These tools were used to cut through animal skin, meat, and plants. Pottery Using clay from the earth, these bowls, cups, and pots were made by heating the clay and forming the shape by hand. Pottery was used for cooking, holding water, and storing grains. Jewelry Jewelry was made from materials such as wood, bones, stone, shells, vegetable fibers, and gemstones. It was worn as decoration or during ceremonies. Headdress Headdresses were worn as a reflection of a tribe's beliefs. Traditionally, the male leaders, or chiefs, of a tribe wore them. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons