Cultivating Methods for New Conclusions: An Analysis of Oneota Copper Artifacts of the Lake Koshkonong Region in Southeastern Wisconsin

Author(s): Jacqueline Pozza

Year: 2017

Summary

Despite almost two centuries of North American prehistoric copper research, intensive archaeological investigations focusing specifically on Oneota copper are less abundant. Building upon previous studies, this project documented and analyzed over 500 Oneota copper artifacts in an effort to assess the production, utilization, and ideological and social significance of this copper materials. The artifacts of this study were recovered from four Oneota sites adjacent to Lake Koshkonong in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, dating to AD 1100 to 1400: Crabapple Point (47Je93), Schmeling (47Je833), Koshkonong Creek Village (47Je379), and Crescent Bay Hunt Club (47Je904). Methods for analyzing North American prehistoric copper artifacts are presented as well as the results of investigations in object form, damage, and general depositional context. For example, manufacturing marks and use wear observed on these objects provide arguments for multiple manufacturing traditions in the area and call into question previous assumptions about their technical utility. Additionally, the distribution of these artifacts and the iconographic symbols present among the collections suggest larger ideological and social significance of copper within Oneota groups. Overall, this research provides possible standardized methods for future prehistoric copper studies and hopes to inspire additional Oneota copper research.

Cite this Record

Cultivating Methods for New Conclusions: An Analysis of Oneota Copper Artifacts of the Lake Koshkonong Region in Southeastern Wisconsin. Jacqueline Pozza. Presented at The 81st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Vancouver, British Columbia. 2017 ( tDAR id: 431778)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

min long: -104.634; min lat: 36.739 ; max long: -80.64; max lat: 49.153 ;

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17025