What Weapons Did Native Americans Use?

Download Article

See what Indigenous weapons were made of and how they were used

Co-authored by Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: August 23, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Weapons & Hunting Tools

|

What were they made of?

|

Primary Uses

|

Video

You’re probably familiar with the bow and arrow, but have you ever heard of the atlatl? What about bolas? In this article, we’ll show you the primary weapons and hunting tools used by the Indigenous peoples of North and South America, including what they were typically made of and how they were used. Keep scrolling to learn more!

Common Native American Weapons

Download Image

An image of weapons used by Native Americans for combat and hunting.

Native Americans used weapons like bows and arrows, tomahawks, harpoons, blowguns, and slingshots. These weapons were highly versatile and could be used for hunting, combat, and even spiritual rituals. Weapons were often made of animal hide, wood, stone (like obsidian and flint), and bone.

Section 1 of 3:

Native American Weapons & Hunting Tools

Download Article

1
Bow and arrow The bow and arrow was one of the most important weapons for Native Americans. Bow and arrows were made from locally-sourced or traded natural materials. In particular, the arrowheads were made from resources like stone, bone, and antler. By the time European settlers founded Jamestown in 1607, Native Americans had perfected their bows and arrows into the perfect weapon for hunting game and waging war.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

US National Park Service
Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments

Go to source}
- Did you know? Even in the late 1800s, Native Americans continued to prefer their bows and arrows over the guns that the Europeans introduced.
2
Tomahawk These small axes have a head made from stone or bone attached to a lightweight wooden handle. Native Americans would use these weapons in battles, for chopping wood, and for hunting. Tomahawks could also hold ceremonial importance in rituals. The word itself comes from the Algonquian word otomahuk which means “to knock down.”^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Did you know? The phrase “bury the hatchet” likely came from Indigenous peace customs, where Native Americans would bury a tomahawk to symbolize the end of a conflict.
Advertisement
Knives were versatile tools used for hunting, throwing in battle, preparing food, and crafting goods. Early versions of Native American knives were simply made of sharpened stone, with bone, copper, and antler knives coming into play later on. Eventually, the introduction of European steel would change the design of Native American knives again. Most knives went in uniquely designed leather sheaths around one’s neck or at the waist, depending on the size of the knife.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Spears and harpoons Spears and harpoons were used for hunting, fishing, and combat. The sharp tip was often made of bone, obsidian, flint, or other stones and tied onto a wooden stick with sinew. The Inuits (Eskimo) people made special use of the harpoon as a fishing and hunting tool.
- Did you know? In some tribes, shamans would use harpoons as part of spiritual rituals. They would use their harpoon as a tool that allowed them to connect the human and spirit worlds.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
The blowgun is a hollow tube that Native Americans blow into to expel a dart out of the other end. This weapon has an impressive speed and projectile, making it useful for killing small game like birds, rabbits, and squirrels. The Choctaw term for blowgun, uski hlumpa, translates to “pierced cane.”^{[5]
X
Research source}
6
Sling shot The sling shot, or simply sling, is a small strap or socket of leather with two cords attached. This allowed Native Americans to hurl missiles, such as rocks, at opponents on the battlefield. This was a crucial weapon for Indigenous peoples and was known as the only weapon feared by Spanish conquistadors.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Did you know? The sling shot has ancient roots and is even mentioned in the Bible as the weapon that David used to slay Goliath.
The war club, or gunstock club, closely resembles the body of a musket or rifle. War clubs were widely used in the late 18th and 19th centuries as weapons and status symbols. These weapons typically had decorative incisions depicting things like battle scenes or compasses.^{[7]
X
Research source} They were made of dense hardwoods like maple, ash, or oak.
Like the bow and arrow, the lance was commonly used for hunting and in combat. It consists of a wooden shaft and a blade made of flint, obsidian, or bone. After the Europeans arrived, many Native Americans traded their lance blades for metal ones. However, stone and bone blades were still used, albeit mostly for ceremonial purposes.^{[8]
X
Research source}
9
Bolas Bolas are an Inca weapon consisting of stone balls attached to long ropes—they are typically in groups of three. They were primarily used for hunting. The wielder would whirl them around like a sling and then throw them at the ground to wrap up an animal’s legs.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Did you know? This seemingly simple hunting technology is what allowed Native peoples to live in the Pampas and northern Patagonia for millenia.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
The mace is another weapon used by the Inca peoples. Maces featured a heavy object mounted on a wooden shaft. The head was usually star-shaped and made of copper or bronze. These were capable of inflicting serious blunt force trauma and could pierce armor and crush bone.^{[11]
X
Research source}
11
Atlatl An atlatl has a handle on one end and a hook or socket that launches a spear or dart on the other. It is an ancient weapon that even predates the bow and arrow. The word comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec people. These could be used for hunting or combat.
- Did you know? The only continent with no record of atlatl use is Africa.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
12
Guns While Native Americans often opted for bows and arrows, European firearms (like muskets and shotguns) became a popular trade item for tribal members. In particular, the Northwest Trade Gun was specifically manufactured for the fur trade and marketed to Native Americans. Once they realized the advantage of firearms for hunting and conflict, Native Americans started trading furs to Europeans for guns.
- Did you know? The introduction of the gun forever changed Native American economic systems, tribal dynamics, and social structures. It led to an era of increased violence and competition for resources.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
Native American shields were made of thick animal hide and decorated with symbolic motifs and personal insignia. Typically, the animals with thick enough hides for the shields were the elk and the buffalo, with the horse and cow coming into use in later times. These shields were used for spiritual, as well as physical protection. Native Americans used special rituals like ring dances to instill spiritual protection into their shields before they went into battle.^{[14]
X
Research source}
These shields possessed spiritual properties to protect the people carrying them. Medicine shields were smaller and more decorative than war shields. They were meant to guard their wearer from negative spiritual forces. Medicine shields often featured intricate designs that reflected the warrior’s spiritual journey. Shields were also carried by spiritual leaders in certain rituals and ceremonies.^{[15]
X
Research source}
15
Armor Prior to the arrival of European settlers, Native Americans primarily crafted their armor out of wood, bones, and leather. At the time, this armor was highly effective for protection. However, the eventual introduction of European firearms made it necessary to adopt metal armor for additional defense.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Did you know? Once original Native American armor was retired, warriors would still wear it ceremonially to represent power and indicate rank and status.

Section 2 of 3:

What were Native American weapons made of?

Download Article

Materials like stone (flint or obsidian), wood, bone, antler, and animal hide were all commonly used to make weapons. Stone and bone were often used to make arrow and spear heads. Native Americans would also trade with other tribes to get the materials they needed to make weapons, if there was a natural resource that they didn’t have easy access to.
Once European settlers arrived, Native Americans began to use metal for weapons like arrows, spears, and lances. The use of European guns also increased. Native Americans would trade furs to the Europeans for guns and metal. However, they continued to prefer their weapons over guns until late in the 1800s.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source

US National Park Service
Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments

Go to source}

Section 3 of 3:

What were Native American weapons used for?

Download Article

By and large, Native American weapons were crucial for hunting game and providing food for tribes. Weapons like the bow and arrow, the harpoon, and the blowgun all helped Native Americans kill game. Native Americans would also use the animal hide and bones to make more weapons and to make shields.
Many Native American weapons were useful for intertribal conflict or for combat with European settlers. Native American weapons were highly versatile, so a lot of weapons that were used for hunting could also be used in battles. The introduction of the European gun greatly altered Native American combat, leading to increased violence.^{[18]
X
Research source}
Some weapons could also be used for ceremonial purposes. For instance, in some tribes, shamans used the harpoon as a spiritual tool to bridge the gap between the human and spirit world. Plus, Native American shields were not only designed for combat but for spiritual protection.