Too often copper artifacts from historic times get confused with prehistoric
copper artifacts. There is a great need to be able to tell them apart. Since
most prehistoric relics are more rare and valuable than historic specimens,
it would be helpful to look at the two groups scientifically and practically
for proper identification.
HISTORIC-PREHISTORIC
For the purpose of this paper, “HISTORIC” artifacts are those
made after the advent of writing (history). “PREHISTORIC” refers
to artifacts made prior to writing; thus before history. Since writing began
in the Old World around 3000 BC (Mesopotamia, Old Kingdom Egypt) and this
early writing never traveled to the New World, we consider North American “HISTORIC” times
to be around AD 1492 (first European contact) and later. “PREHISTORIC” is
anytime before 1492 AD.
Of course there is some substantial evidence that literate
Vikings visited the New World around AD 1000 and thus, their copper tools
and written language could push back the HISTORIC date 492 years. This is
a minor exception to the general rule besides the Viking’s copper artifacts
and writings were few in number and geographically isolated.
DETERMINING PREHISTORIC FROM HISTORIC IMPLEMENTS
The Old Copper Culture existed in Northern, Midwestern and Eastern North
America from early Archaic times (circa 8000 BC) to the present. Large deposits
of 99.9% pure copper (called float or native copper) were found as surface
glacial deposits and in shallow pits that were easily mined (Fig. 1). Hundreds
of tons of this native copper was collected and used to make tools, ornaments
and weapons in a wide variety of shapes and sizes over the last 8000 years
( Figures 1-14).
Though there are a few specimens of native copper with silver, arsenic and
other inclusions (isolated pockets of the metal inside the main specimen),
the vast majority of float copper used in implement manufacture was 99.9%
pure; a condition unique to North America.
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This excerpt from "The Difference Between
Historic and Prehistoric “Old Copper”" published
in the 2021 Central States Archaeological Societies 2021
January Journal
Read this and mores in the Central States
Archaeological 2021
January Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2022
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Figure 1. (1) Various products from the prehistoric
Old Copper Culture. (2) Float-native copper with some specimens hammered
and basic tools made. (3) Note chisel and awl with "worm track" elevations
on the surfaces.
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After European contact (AD 1492+), these deposits were continuously
mined/collected by the local natives and colonial mining companies from 1843
through the 1930s. Local farmers and those in the “reproduction” trade
used this valuable and plentiful copper resource for their own needs. Float
copper collection, mining and manufacture occurred in both prehistoric and
historic times.
Thus, if you....
Read other great columns in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2021
January Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2020
