Old Copper culture

ancient North American Indian culture

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July 1, 2026

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The "Old Copper" culture was an ancient North American Indian culture that flourished in the upper Great Lakes region starting around 4000 BCE and lasting for approximately 2,000 years. These people utilized native copper deposits to create tools and implements, a practice that predates the widespread use of smelting. This culture represents some of the earliest metalwork found in the New World. Later, the Hopewell people also extensively used copper, cold hammering it to produce ornaments and weapons.1

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Native American
Eastern Archaic cultures
Their aptly named Old Copper culture appeared about 3000 bce and lasted approximately 2,000 years. Its tools and weapons, particularly its adzes, gouges, and axes, clearly indicate an adaptation to the forest environment.
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Their aptly named Old Copper culture appeared about 3000 bce and lasted approximately 2,000 years. Its tools and weapons, particularly its adzes, gouges, and axes, clearly indicate an adaptation to the forest environment.
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Oconto
…the region, known as the Old Copper culture, lived there some 5,000 years ago. Fur traders arrived in the early 17th century, and in 1669 the Jesuit missionary Claude-Jean Allouez established a mission at the site, which was then a Menominee Indian village. The locality’s name derives from an Indian…
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…the region, known as the Old Copper culture, lived there some 5,000 years ago. Fur traders arrived in the early 17th century, and in 1669 the Jesuit missionary Claude-Jean Allouez established a mission at the site, which was then a Menominee Indian village. The locality’s name derives from an Indian…
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metalwork
Pre-Columbian
…New World come from the “Old Copper” culture that flourished in the upper Great Lakes region of North America beginning about 4000 bce and continuing over the course of the next 2,000 years. The earliest goldwork is considerably later and consists of sheet-gold adornments with embossed decoration from Chongoyape, Peru,…
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…New World come from the “Old Copper” culture that flourished in the upper Great Lakes region of North America beginning about 4000 bce and continuing over the course of the next 2,000 years. The earliest goldwork is considerably later and consists of sheet-gold adornments with embossed decoration from Chongoyape, Peru,…
Read More