Native Copper Tools
A spectacular array of artifacts made of native copper (an ore containing over 99.3% copper) has been found on sites near Pembroke, Ontario. Dating from the Middle Archaic Period (4,500 to 5,500 years ago), they include projectile points, knives, adzes, fish-hooks, awls, eyed needles, bracelets and pendants. The native copper was most likely obtained through trade with people living in the western Lake Superior region.
Native copper could be worked and shaped by hammering and pounding with stones. The brittle metal thus produced was heated in a fire to make it pliable.
 | Projectile point or knife
Morrison's Island, Quebec
(near Pembroke, Ontario)
5,000 years old
Length: 13.5 cm
Gift of Clyde Kennedy, 1994
CMC BkGg-12:5665 |  | Woodworking adze
Mooney's Bay, Ottawa
3,000-5,000 years old
Length: 24 cm
Gift of Harold Saville, 1961
CMC BiFw-4:1 |  | Woodworking adze
Morrison's Island, Quebec
(near Pembroke, Ontario)
5,000 years old
Length: 9 cm
Gift of Clyde Kennedy, 1994
CMC BkGg-12:5562 |
 | Socketed woodworking adze
Morrison's Island, Quebec
(near Pembroke, Ontario)
5,000 years old
Length: 13.5 cm
Gift of Clyde Kennedy, 1994
CMC BkGg-12:8112 |  | Fish-hook
Morrison's Island, Quebec
(near Pembroke, Ontario)
5,000 years old
Length: 4.5 cm
Gift of Clyde Kennedy, 1994
CMC BkGg-12-6232 |  | Eyed needle
Morrison's Island, Quebec
(near Pembroke, Ontario)
5,000 years old
Length: 11.5 cm
Gift of Clyde Kennedy, 1994
CMC BkGg-12-4061 |
 | Projectile point
Morrison's Island, Quebec
(near Pembroke, Ontario)
5,000 years old
Length: 7 cm
Gift of Clyde Kennedy, 1994
CMC BkGg-12-7465 |  | Projectile point
Allumette Island, Quebec
(near Pembroke, Ontario)
6,000 years old
Length: 6.5 cm
Collected by W. J. Wintemberg, National Museum of Canada, 1912
CMC VIIIE-38 | | |
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