Re: Pre-Columbian metal (Was: Olmecs and Africa ? No evidence.)

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message: Philip Deitiker: "Re: diseases and immunity"
• Previous message: IMP: "Mailinglist: Antropologi Indonesia Network"

Hi Eric,

Mind if I throw in my two cites worth about the exploitation of metal
in pre-contact North America?

Rapp, G. Jr, E. Henrickson, J. Allert, 1990. Native Copper Sources of
Artifact Copper in pre-Columbian North America; in Lasca N.P and
Donahue, J. eds, Archaeological Geology of North America, Geological
Society of America, Centennial Special Volume 4, pp. 479-498.

Vernon, W.W., 1990. New Archaeometallurgical Perspectives on the Old
Copper Industry of North America; in Lasca N.P and Donahue, J. eds,
Archaeological Geology of North America, Geological Society of America,
Centennial Special Volume 4, pp. 499-512.

Rapp et al. (1990) list 540 locations in North America (not including
Mesoamerica) where native (i.e., elemental) copper sources were
exploited. Vernon (1990) describes in more detail the Old Copper
industry, a Late Archaic Indian manifestation that flourished in
Wisconsin and Northern Michigan c. 5500 to 3000 BP. Copper tools were
fabricated by hammering the native copper and occasionally annealing to
increase hardness. Tools found have included axes, awls, knives, and
points. None of the artifacts reported indicates smelting was
involved.

Regards,
August Matthusen

• Next message: Philip Deitiker: "Re: diseases and immunity"
• Previous message: IMP: "Mailinglist: Antropologi Indonesia Network"