Indigeneous Copper
Submitted by rfrost on Tue, 08/12/2008 - 07:16.
A slab of unrefined copper found in a creekbed in the Upper Peninsula. Contrary to prevailing prejudice, the Ojibwe used copper in a number of tools, in particular for ice augers. Given the high ore content of UP copper deposits--often up to 95% pure copper, as is the case with this piece--, Ojibwe peoples easily worked the slabs of high-grade ore with hammers, yielding them pure copper usable in a wide variety of tools and highly valuable as a trade item. This small piece weighs about 10 pounds.
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