Native Copper Video - Experimental Archaeology

[JackCrafty]

For those interested in how some Native Americans (Alaska and Yukon) were using native copper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNOR8CxsHEg

[JEB]

Interesting video. Thanks for posting.

A few years ago I attended the Gold and Mineral show in El Paso ,Texas and spoke with  detector representative from Wisconsin who  located over 200 copper artifacts along the Michigan and Wisconsin border.  Would have been interesting to see the artifacts that he found.

[JacksonCash]

I grew up not too far from the copper country in the Upper Peninsula - I find that stuff really cool. I can see about making it to some museums in the area next time I'm back and see if they'll let me take some pictures or something along those lines.

[JackCrafty]

Any and all pictures are welcome!

Hmmm. I'm not that far from El Paso.  I'll have to look up that mineral show...

[iowabow]

I have planned a trip to Cahokia mounds in April with a student group. I am going to call ahead can see if we can get more info on the copper industry for that site. I will try and get as many pictures as possible.

[JackCrafty]

Thanks John!

[Bone pile]

A friend off mine here in Fl. has started smelting copper and sand casting percussion and pressure tools.I used a few this weekend worked fine
Roger

[JackCrafty]

Is he smelting the copper with modern equipment?

[Bone pile]

I haven't see the set up.Says its a crucible in a small forge.It must be blow torch for heat he's taking it up to 1800-2000 and pouring into sand mold then final shaping with hammer/Hammerstein. I used one of his nuggets for percussion and it worked well.

[JackCrafty]

Cool.