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Copper axe head

GKMan

GKMan

Well-known member
I was out detecting one of my favorite haunts and recovered this. To me it appears to be an axe head. Images I found online appear similar to this. What do you think? Depth was about 8 inches
 
It sure looks like it could be an axe or wedge but copper would make a poor axe, way too soft.
 
I hear you larry. I was wondering if it could be Native American
 
It sure looks old enough to be :shrug: I'll pass your post onto a guy who might know...... flinthunter (Daryl).........
 
Thanks Larry, of course if that axe was just used to hit people in the noggin it wouldn't have to be too hard. Perhaps ceremonial or just an odd piece of copper?
 
Nice piece of copper. Hard to tell for sure from the pictures if it is man made or natural but by the shape of the bit and the flat bottom it looks like it might be a ancient woodworking adz.

From the information in your post I am guessing it was found in New York. I'll do some checking and see if I can some links to copper artifacts from your area. Daryl
 
Thank Daryl!
Here are some more images. It was found in a flat area near a stream in soil, not rocks. of course glacil activity could have left it there. Oh, this area was part of the Wappinger indian range.
 
I wouldn't have thought copper would make a good ax, but it was alloyed and that makes sense. I had to look that up out of courisity and this was an interesting article .....http://www.scienceviews.com/squier/aboriginalmonumentsA-13.html

I think you are onto something Gary....:thumbup:
 
Here are a couple more interesting links to copper culture artifacts. There are several pictures of celts/axes/adzes that closely resemble yours. Taking the piece to a local artifact show and talking to some of the displayers will help determine what you have. Your new pictures are showing a nicely shaped shank with a flared bit. I think you have a very nice Archaic period artifact. If I can find any artifact shows in your general area I will PM the information to you.

http://copperculture.homestead.com/

http://www.mpm.edu/research-collections/anthropology/online-collections-research/old-copper-culture/artifacts

http://www.copperculture.zoomshare.com/5.shtml/Axe%20Type%20-%20Adze
 
Thanks so much Daryl! If it is what you think it could be I wonder what the age may be.
Earlier I had put a call in to one of the local colleges to see if they could offer anything. If anyone is interested I will keep you informed.
 
GKMan said:
Thanks so much Daryl! If it is what you think it could be I wonder what the age may be.
Earlier I had put a call in to one of the local colleges to see if they could offer anything. If anyone is interested I will keep you informed.
Click to expand...

Here is a quote from the first link I posted about age. Yours probably dates from the Old Copper Complex.

"There is disagreement among the archeological community as to the time period to ascribe to the Old Copper Complex. Dates range from over 7000 years BP to 3000 years BP. The greatest disagreement seems to be over the beginning age of the Old Copper Complex. Carbon-14 testing of organic materials found with Old Copper Complex artifacts has established a date of at least 6000+ years BP. Carbon testing of wood remains found in sockets of artifacts in our own collection has produced dates as old as 5900+ years BP. Copper continued to be used into proto-historic times, long after the demise of the Old Copper Complex. Many of the copper artifacts from the Old Copper Complex differ from those of later manufacture, with many of the later artifacts being smaller, less utilitarian and more ornamental. Early European traders found native americans using copper tools and weapons wherever copper was available. Many copper artifacts originated in the post-european contact period, native-americans used worn-out and damaged copper pots and other copper trade items to manufacture arrowheads, knives and ornaments. People have always used what was available to them and copper was available for thousands of years."
 
3000-6000 years old would be my guess. From the pics, i would say 95% chance man (native) made. Could have been a tool for fleshing, woodworking, or maybe the axe theory. We find lots of copper native artifacts in michigan. It definately is very large, may have some significant value there.
 
Hey there GKMan, that is an awesome artifact you have there. That is most likely either what is called a copper celt or an adz. I would say 3000-5500 years old. We find copper artifacts of all sorts here in Wisconsin and the UP. Where there is one piece there likely is more. If you get back you have to try and work the stream also. They almost most certainly speared in the river/stream for fish. Excellent chance for finding copper fish hooks, harpoons and socketed spear points. Thanks for sharing, Steve
 
Thanks folks! Very exciting....
 
That may be one of your most valuable finds yet. Historically and actual collectors value. Just a great find!
 
What state was this found in? I found a knife recently. Don't clean it with chemicals. I seen some nice pieces ruined because they were cleaned. Just use water. Nice Find!
 
New York, oh god no I only use water
Thanks
 
Awesome find - love those old Native American artifacts... boy, if it could talk!
 
Just my guess. I would use that to chop ice. Probably traded from the great lakes. Did some research. Wappingers were forced from New York to Midwest area including wisconsin and ohio. I hope I find another one. Until you have a copper artifact in your hand. I don't think you really understand how special it is. Congratulations.
Les
 
You know if one stops and thinks about it; these tools were so well crafted by some of the worlds first and finest metal artisans. All by hand, no machines. Just bare hands. Where would you start if someone told you you need to make a socketed spear to hunt with. These ancient civilizations Im a firm believer in had the mental capacity that we are only now beginning to understand. WE still cant figure out how the Egyptians were able to build the great pyramids and the accuracy of how they were built. We cant even duplicate that today and we have unlimited resources and machinery. And our native friends had what to work with. Some rock and hammer stones and perhaps other copper jigs that were formed by rock beating. A little fire and water thrown in to extract the copper ore. Not much is it but back then it meant everything in the world to the native American who we now know was from the copper culture. The tools and later on the jewelry he made are truly archaic marvels to behold. Steve
 
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