spearhead

[Water-Logged]

I found this at 8 inches. It seems to be copper but i tried to scrach it to see the metal beneth and only found corrosion.All other spearheads i've seen have a pointed tang.also how can i halt the corrosion.Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Water-logged, that looks like a remarkable find. By any chance did you find it Northern Michigan?

A pic and some info at the link below. Check out the 3-3/4 Stepped Socketed point 3rd from the bottom of the page.


http://copperculture.homestead.com/

[attachment 10897 spear.gif]
[attachment 10898 spear2.gif]

 

[devin]

The spear is from about 1000-4000 years old I believe.
they call it a socketed copper spear. I like to soak mine in olive oil for a few weeks.

 

[devin]

should clean up something like this.

 

[Water-Logged]

Thank you for the tip devin, i will soak the spearhead today. Do you suggest any length of time like a week? Thanks again.

 

[Water-Logged]

Gabe how did you guess. I found it aprox two miles from home in michigan's upper penisula.

 

[Anonymous]

...wow! Thanks for posting!

 

[devin]

Water-logged,
The olive oil should soften the crud and protect the spear. I like to gently wipe it off every few days. sometimes it take a few weeks to soak in.

Something else I just heard about and I tried on IH Pennies,worked awesome but can not have any olive oil on it. Heat up hydrogen peroxide in the microwave till it gets little bubbles (about 40 secs.) The copper reacts and bubbles off the crud. But I never tried it on any artifacts. I don't know it may turn them green.

 

[Anonymous]

...water-logged, personally I wouldn't do anything but the olive oil, as the patina is part of the artifact and I would keep it as original as possible.

Gosh, the last thing you would want is that thing to come out of a bath of something looking like a shiney new penny... Yikes!

 

[Water-Logged]

So i shouldn't have put it in the coin tumbler? woops, just kidding.Thanks for your info on the copperculture link gabe. W.L.

 

[Water-Logged]

Sounds good devin, i'll stick to the olive oil for the spearhead,and try the peroxide on these old indians. Thanks for the tip. W.L.