Old Copper complex facts for kids
| Geographical range | Great Lakes |
|---|---|
| Period | Archaic |
| Dates | 7500 - 1000 BCE |
| Type site | Copper Culture State Park |
The Old Copper complex or Old Copper culture refers to ancient Native North American groups. They were known for making and using many things from copper, like weapons and tools.
Archaeologists believe these people shaped copper by hammering it. They did not melt it down to cast it into molds. Objects found from these sites are very old, dating from about 7500 to 1000 BCE.
Contents
Copper in the Great Lakes Region
The Old Copper Complex in the Western Great Lakes area is the most famous. Its history goes back as far as 9,500 years ago. Native people living here during the Archaic period found very pure copper. They found it in veins close to the surface and in nuggets in riverbeds.
Finding Copper Ore
Major places where they dug for copper were Isle Royale, the Keweenaw Peninsula, and near the Brule River. Glaciers also left copper pieces in other areas. You can still find signs of their mining today. These include deep holes chipped into rocks in Ontario, Manitoba, and around Lake Superior.
How They Worked Copper
These cultures were very skilled. They heated, softened (called annealing), and hammered the copper into different shapes. They made many items, including spearpoints, tools, and decorative objects.
Trade and Social Changes
The Copper Complex people also traded their copper goods. They exchanged them for other interesting materials from far away. Around 3,000 years ago, copper was used more for jewelry and special items. It was used less for everyday tools. This change might show that societies in the area were becoming more complex.
Copper Culture State Park
Copper Culture State Park is in Oconto, northeastern Wisconsin. It holds an ancient burial ground used by the Old Copper complex people. This site was used between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago. A 13-year-old boy found human bones there in June 1952 while playing. Soon after, archaeologists began digging and studying the site.
Other Places with Copper
Copper from the Great Lakes region was traded to many other parts of North America. However, there were also other places where copper could be found. For example, some copper came from the Appalachian Mountains near the Etowah Site in Georgia.
Ancient copper items are found over a very large area. They are found all around the Great Lakes region. They are also found far south into what is now the USA.
See also
In Spanish: Viejo complejo del cobre para niños
