Foraging / Arrowheads
Arrowheads & artifacts.
This one surprises people, and the penalties are real: collecting arrowheads or any artifact on public land is illegal in Texas.
On private land
On private land, surface-collecting artifacts is legal, and the landowner owns them - Texas does not protect ordinary archaeological sites on private property. (Get permission first, as always. A handful of private sites are specially designated and protected, but that's rare.)
Graves are protected everywhere
Human graves and burials are protected everywhere - public and private land alike. If you ever uncover human remains, stop and contact the authorities; disturbing a burial is a felony.
Metal detecting: Metal detecting follows the same map: it's prohibited in state parks (permit only, for professionals), restricted on other public land, and fine on private land with permission. On a beach you can search for lost modern items, but artifacts and protected areas are still off-limits.
Keep going
Official sources
Artifacts on public land are protected by the Antiquities Code of Texas (Historical Commission) and the federal ARPA. Human graves are protected everywhere under Texas cemetery law.
- Data vintage:
- Artifact rules as reviewed June 2026
- Last reviewed:
- June 15, 2026
- Texas Historical Commission - Artifact Collecting - The Antiquities Code, in plain terms
- THC - Antiquities Code of Texas
- THC - Cemetery Laws
Caution: This is a serious legal area, not a gray zone. On public land, never collect - report finds to the agency. For specifics, contact the Texas Historical Commission.