Native American Metal Use
While the native peoples of the Southeastern U.S. did not have sophisticated metal
working technology at the time of European contact, beginning as early as 3000 B.C., they did seek out and use available
nuggets of copper, gold, and silver, all which were malleable and could be heated, hammered and cut into desired shapes.
These were typically fashioned into items of personal adornment, often serving as symbols of status or rank, and were traded
amongst groups of Native Americans. This practice continued and expanded with the arrival of the Europeans.
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