Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 16th April 2006, 04:20 AM

Finally have my copy of the book on the way, and typically impatient started reviewing other resources concerning Native American metalwork, especially copper, in some other resources. While obviously only a cursory look at the topic, I have always simply presumed that Native American tribes were not particularly involved in working metal, especially not smelting or forging obviously. My perception has been of fascination by this virtually paleolithic civilization persisting until the arrival of Europeans and ongoing colonization and trade.

According to "Native American Weapons" (Colin F.Taylor, 2001,London) this is essentially true, and the author notes that stone working in flint by the typical methods of flaking and pecking did persist in the gradual style of working copper nuggets found naturally in post-glacial debris in regions holding these deposits. It is noted the key regions for this were in the Great Lakes, southward to the Mississippi Valley, and that by the time of the arrival of the Europeans around 1600, copper was already well in use. The long, narrow blades on knives and dagger blades were, as the earlier stone items, convex in section and reflected similar working to the stone examples. It seems that in many cases, heating the raw material being worked allowed a sharper edge to be honed with sharpening stone.

The author also mentions that many early writers note the copper weapons were imbued with exceptional powers, and while many tribes clearly used the metal for such magically charged purpose, there was also many who thought the metal so sacred, no practical use whatsoever was made of it, yet it was considered valuable in itself.

In other reading, it does seem that most Native American 'industry' in weapon making with metal came later, and with the constant flow of trade weapons and materials. I am looking forward to this book in hopes of learning more on how much actual metalwork in varying degree may have taken place, and especially more in copper in this cultural sphere.

Battara, I have found the study of the Cherokee especially interesting and it seems ever increasing in dimension as an incredibly important people among Native Americans. Much of my study has been prompted by my brother in law, whose mother was full blooded Cherokee.

All best regards,
Jim

16th April 2006, 04:20 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Finally have my copy of the book on the way, and typically impatient started reviewing other resources concerning Native American metalwork, especially copper, in some other resources. While obviously only a cursory look at the topic, I have always simply presumed that Native American tribes were not particularly involved in working metal, especially not smelting or forging obviously. My perception has been of fascination by this virtually paleolithic civilization persisting until the arrival of Europeans and ongoing colonization and trade. According to "Native American Weapons" (Colin F.Taylor, 2001,London) this is essentially true, and the author notes that stone working in flint by the typical methods of flaking and pecking did persist in the gradual style of working copper nuggets found naturally in post-glacial debris in regions holding these deposits. It is noted the key regions for this were in the Great Lakes, southward to the Mississippi Valley, and that by the time of the arrival of the Europeans around 1600, copper was already well in use. The long, narrow blades on knives and dagger blades were, as the earlier stone items, convex in section and reflected similar working to the stone examples. It seems that in many cases, heating the raw material being worked allowed a sharper edge to be honed with sharpening stone. The author also mentions that many early writers note the copper weapons were imbued with exceptional powers, and while many tribes clearly used the metal for such magically charged purpose, there was also many who thought the metal so sacred, no practical use whatsoever was made of it, yet it was considered valuable in itself. In other reading, it does seem that most Native American 'industry' in weapon making with metal came later, and with the constant flow of trade weapons and materials. I am looking forward to this book in hopes of learning more on how much actual metalwork in varying degree may have taken place, and especially more in copper in this cultural sphere. Battara, I have found the study of the Cherokee especially interesting and it seems ever increasing in dimension as an incredibly important people among Native Americans. Much of my study has been prompted by my brother in law, whose mother was full blooded Cherokee. All best regards, Jim