Archaeology subject-prehistoric copper mining

[somedaysoon]

http://philipcoppens.com/copper.html

Interesting article from the late 90's on a subject which has always fascinated me,but about which I know next to nothing.

The prehistoric Great Lakes copper mines.

Copper artifacts are not-to the best of my knowledge-found often,or in any quantity-in North American archaeological digs. Beyond the level of the occasional bracelet,or shirt button,there aren't any.

And yet,someone went to a hell of a lot of trouble to find copper,dig it up,and take it somewhere. So who did the digging,who did the shipping,and where did it go?

A very cool puzzle.

Edit:just now noticed that the link was in the title block and changed that....

[Schacht]

The lack of bodies above the seasonal snow line is a bit difficult to explain, but an even better question is where they found the lumber to burn the copper veins. That's not a small job, and just moving that much wood is tricky and far beyond a local tribe, let alone cutting it doen in the first place.

[somedaysoon]

Just so. There are a whole lot more questions than answers.

This is a very interesting puzzle. And I have no idea why it hasn't warranted a lot more research than seems to have taken place.