Looking for and finding archaeological relics such as arrowheads is known as "surface collecting" or "surface hunting."
Lake Tawakoni in Texas is an area rich in history and archeology. Before the reservoir was constructed, the land was home to farmers, ranchers and many indigenous native tribes. This has made the area popular among professional archaeologists and amateur "surface collectors."
History
The Tawakoni people have left their mark on the landscape in the form of many artifacts, including arrowheads. In 1859 they officially became part of the Wichita Reservation and moved to the other side of the Red River. This has made the area popular for surface hunting.
Expert Insight
According to Raymond Gathright, Club Secretary for the Surface Hunters of Texas, hunting for arrowheads at Lake Tawakoni encompasses research, reading and field work. A good start is walking the lake's beaches looking for chipped rocks and flint. It takes some time and effort to develop an eye for the search. Almost anything collected from the surface is no longer in its original location and, therefore, "out of context." These pieces are of no value to a professional archaeologists but are prized by collectors.
Warning
There are legal ramifications regarding surface hunting in Texas. To quote Mr. Gathright; "Collecting on any public waterway, including Tawakoni, in the State of Texas is illegal and the artifacts, if collected, do in fact belong to the state." Lake Tawakoni is a public area, and although you are welcome to look for arrowheads, it is technically illegal to keep or sell what you find. These rules, however, are typically not enforced, as most collectors do keep and display their finds.
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