The Prehistory Of Copper In The Keweenaw

The copper mining boom began in the 1800’s in the Keweenaw, but a local study shows that the practice of extracting the red metal from this area dates back as far as 8,000 years ago.

It’s no secret that the Upper Peninsula is known for its supply of metals. Some parts are known for iron ore, and here in the Copper Country, it’s more of a copper thing.

But just how long have folks been pulling copper out of the ground in this region? That’s a question Robin Hammer Mueller hopes to answer by digging through more copper.

Robin is a researcher who serves on two area historical boards and shares her collection of artifacts with anyone who is willing to learn about Copper Country history. She recently gave a presentation to the folks of Chassell.

Hammer Mueller said, “If we get more people interested, kids will go ‘wow, what’s this all about?’ It’s about what you guys have had since you were growing up. It’s about what’s under your feet, and what’s under your feet is so important because it changed North America and it changed the world.”

In her collection she has what she believes is proof that copper mining and metal working in this area go as far back as 5,000 years before the Egyptian pyramids were constructed.

“They figured out how to make these knives that they could sharpen and resharpen. They were carrying around these portable anvils that they could sharpen their knives with,” she said.

Many of her pieces came from Michigan, some specific to the Keweenaw Peninsula, including a set of artifacts found while the Houghton Wal-Mart store was under construction. The set includes things like sewing needles, meat cleavers, and fishing hooks all made from copper and date back to a time that we know little about.

Hammer-Mueller said, “The history was long gone because they didn’t record it. They weren’t doing the petroglyphs and the pictographs. The only way that we can find it out is through these copper pieces.”

As she continues her research and shares her findings, others have taken an interest. Her Facebook research site has gained over 2,500 members since it began in 2012 and is still accepting more.

“They can go on my Facebook research page called ‘Old Copper Complex and Ancient Waterways” and it’s a study of prehistoric people,” Hammer Mueller said.

Locally, parts of her collection can also be found at the Copper Range Museum in South Range.