Old Copper complex

[1][2][page needed] It is characterized by widespread copper artifacts, including tools and weapons, as well as ornamental objects.

[3][page needed] The Old Copper Complex of the Western Great Lakes is the best known, and can be dated as far back as 9,500 years ago.

Major quarries were located on Isle Royale, the Keweenaw Peninsula, and the Brule River, and copper was deposited elsewhere by glaciation as well.

By heating, annealing and hammering, these cultures worked the copper into shape and produced a variety of spearpoints, tools and decorative objects.

Ancient copper artifacts are found over a very wide range, all around the Great Lakes region, and far south into what is now the United States.

Copper knife, spearpoints, awls, and spud ( adze ), from the Late Archaic period, Wisconsin, 3000 BC-1000 BCE.
Native copper nugget from glacial drift , Ontonagon County, Michigan . An example of the raw material worked by the people of the Old Copper Complex.