Copper Artifacts

FLOAT COPPER

( Top to Bottom)15725/4394, 15735/4394,15727d/4394, 15727c/4394

This type of copper has been found in scattered pockets as far south as southern Illinois, as the result of advancing glaciers during the Pleistocene. As these glaciers scoured the landscape of the Keweenaw Peninsula, they picked up exposed copper nodules that range from a few inches to several feet in length. These nodules were eventually deposited in the glacial outwash hundreds of miles from their original source. It was undoubtedly from these pieces of metal that much of the artifacts from the Old Copper Complex were manufactured. Here are examples of float copper found in Wisconsin, as well as some examples of nodules hammered into modified pre-forms. Great Lakes native copper is typically more than 95% pure.

MODIFIED COPPER

(Largest to Smallest)2218, 11807/1571, 15721/4394

One can see the large range of chisels and celts that have been found in Wisconsin. Their function may have been for carving wood as in making a dugout canoe. Many of these pieces are quite heavy and are likely to have been hafted onto a wooden handle.(Left to Right: 11613/1487, 11614/1487, 11861/1571,56432/22174, 11615/1487, 48414/15407, 2135, 11619/1487, 2234)

Axes and wedges are somewhat similar to chisels and celts in that they were probably often used for cutting wood and felling trees. Some of these artifacts show signs of being hammered on the butt end, perhaps for the purpose of splitting logs.(Left to Right: 11613/1487, 11614/1487, 11861/1571, 56432/22174, 11615/1487, 48414/15407, 2135, 11619/1487, 2234)

The socketed spud is one of the more distinctive types of Old Copper artifacts. There is a large range in size and style of these artifacts, which may indicate both the time and place of their manufacture. They would have been hafted onto a wooden handle for increased accuracy and efficiency. Nevertheless, the function of these tools was primarily for woodcarving and possibly bark stripping.(Left to Right: 2144, 11616/1487, 11812/1571, 15728/4394, 15752/4947, 11622/1487, 2176, 11838/1571)

Pikes range widely in size; indeed the largest found in Wisconsin is shown here and measures 75 centimeters in length. The majority of these artifacts are pointed on both ends, though some are blunted. The primary function of the pike was for puncturing or piercing purposes, perhaps for breaking through ice for winter fishing (Penman 1977:19).(Left to Right: 40301/1083(75cm), 40301/1083, 2173, 2183, 2184

Awls and needles constitute one of the most common artifact types found on Old Copper Complex sites. Similar to pikes, awls functioned as perforators, probably for puncturing hides. There is ample evidence to suggest that these tools were hafted onto a handle for easier and safer use. Currently there are about 250 awls ranging in size from2 to 40 cm in length in the MPM collection from Wisconsin. (Left to Right: 11633/1487, 11820/1571, 111634/1487, 11635/1487, 11636/1487, 49530/16605, 49531/16605, 29585/8115, 13464/2922, 11893/1571)

Fishing was an important source of subsistence during the Archaic period and the fishhook is a testament to this activity. These tools were simply made by curving a copper rod into the shape of a hook and hammering the end into a sharp point. Here one can see the size range between 2.5 and 17 centimeters in length. (Bottom to Top: 52720/18281, 25342/5709, 25324/5709, 15152/4004)

Though not as common as fishhooks, harpoons are a much more sophisticated version of the fishhook, in which they are barbed and hafted to a spear. Here are three versions of this type of fishing tool. (Bottom to Top: 2167, 11860/1571, 12516/2534 )

(Bottom to Top: 15729/4394, 11780/1571, 15707/4394, 2121, 2090,
56769/22722)

(Bottom to Top: 38007/10213, 2110, 11609/1487, 15628/4394)

Knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are about 100 knives in the MPM collection, and they range from 4 to 32 centimeters in length. They would have been hafted onto a handle and used for cutting meat or plant material. As these tools became dull, it is likely they were resharpened and used in food processing.

This style of spearpoint is a common and distinctive form found throughout the western Great Lakes. One can see the large range in size, though their shape retains the typical characteristic of a sharp pointed stem and an ovate blade. These copper projectiles would have been hafted into a wooden shaft. (Left to Right: 2059, 11814/1571, 11898/1571, 2062, 2069, 2060, 15612/4394, 1858)

This type of spearpoint is common and may have been contemporaneous with rat-tail points. Currently there are roughly 100 different stemmed points in the MPM collection. These range from around 5 to over 25 centimeters in length. The stem of these projectiles would have been inserted into a wooden shaft and likely reinforced with wrapped cord or sinew. (Left to Right: 1908, 15730/9394, 1910,1911, 11786/1571, 11577/1487)

Socketed-tang points are one of the more common projectile points produced in the Old Copper Complex. Currently there are over 300 examples in the MPM collection. Depending on their size, these projectiles would have functioned either as spear points or atlatl dart tips. The socket would have been hafted to a wooden shaft and likely secured with a cord wrapped around it. Some sockets have evidence of rivet holes, for better securing the projectile to the shaft with a copper pin/nail. Typically they have a ridge running along the dorsal surface, which would have added extra stability to the projectile. They range in size from a few centimeters to over 20 centimeters. (Left to Right: 15604/4394, 11909/1669, 11511/1487, 34559/9543, 11505/1487)

Flat-stemmed points, sometimes referred to as fishtail points because of the shape of their bases, show a large range of sizes. Less common than most projectile points, they may have functioned also as daggers or knives. (Left to Right: 2082, 11769/1581, 13479/2998, 1866)

This type of projectile point has been found throughout the western Great Lakes; however, in the MPM collection these points are primarily from eastern Wisconsin. It is thought that they are of a later variety and were perhaps used as atlatl tips. (Left to Right: 34557/9543, 2067, 15598/4394, 15613/4394, 32717/9074, 15649/4394, 56765/22722)

These unique types of projectile point are less commonly found. There are fewer than 20 in the museum collection and they were found in both Michigan and Wisconsin. The size range is usually smaller, between 4 to 15 centimeters. The saw-tooth-base is an ingenious form of hafting, resulting in a very secure projectile. (Left to Right: 11889/1571, 15737/4394, 1915, 1924, 11592/1487, 15712/4394, 30379/8075, 11593/1487)

These types of copper projectile points are not very common, however they typically exhibit a uniform shape. The variance on hafting techniques is indicative of different forms of innovation most likely the result of unrelated cultural groups. These spearpoints are fine examples of technological ingenuity during the Old Copper Complex of the late Archaic period. (Left to Right: 30361/8175, 11744/1487)

This type of artifact is quite rare and few have been found throughout the Great Lakes. Because of their resemblance to stone examples, it is believed that these implements would have functioned as an atlatl weight, similar to banner stones of the same size and shape. This example (43402/11996) measures 13 x 12.5 x 1.6 centimeters and was discovered with a cache of 20 other copper artifacts in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin during the construction of a sewer trench in 1916.

(Bottom to Top: 15206/4293, 2106, 2104, 25293/5709, 11744/1487)

The exact function of crescent-shaped objects has generated numerous debates as to their specific purpose; some believe that they may have been used as cutting tools, while others argue they were more likely worn as ornaments around the neck. Crescents come in various shapes and sizes and generally have blunt edges, suggesting that they may not have been used as cutting implements.

(Left to Right: 3035/8175, 2089, 2101)

25149/5781 (Found in Milwaukee County)

It is hypothesized that beaded necklaces were produced more frequently in the later Archaic period (ca. 1,500 BC) as signs of wealth. While beads are commonly found, whole necklaces are rare. These copper beads are typically rolled into different cylindrical lengths and then would have been threaded with an organic fibrous cord. The following are two fine examples of copper necklaces found in the Milwaukee area.

 

Other examples of personal ornaments include bracelets and pendants. Bracelets/bangles would have been worn around the wrist or ankles, while pendants would have been attached to a cord and worn around the neck. These items may have acted like a talisman or simply worn as decorative jewelry. It is likely that these types of artifacts are late manifestations of the Old Copper tradition, which extended into the proto-historic period. BRACELETS (Top to Bottom: 11721/1487, 11790/1571)