Indigenous Copper Technology in the Western Great Lakes

First Nations

What can copper tools tell us about what life was like for the people who lived in the area that is now Wisconsin thousands of years ago?

Native peoples in the area that is now Wisconsin have some of the oldest copperworking traditions in the world. They began using copper for making tools around 9,000 years ago. Eventually, they shifted to using copper primarily for decorative items, like jewelry. This copper tradition in the western Great Lakes area is unique in the world, and can shed light on the lifestyles and traditions of the area’s cultures.