Native Americans were the first people to mine the Arkansas Novaculite Formation. They noticed its conchoidal fracture and discovered that it could be knapped – just like flint – into projectile points, scrapers, and cutting tools. They mined novaculite, used it to manufacture cutting tools and weapons, and traded the material and products over a broad area. The Quapaw, Osage, Caddo, Tunica, Chickasaw, and Natchez tribes were especially involved in the mining.

Prehistoric people in other parts of the world have worked novaculite deposits to manufacture weapons and cutting tools. Novaculite and manufactured products from these areas were transported and traded across great distances.