Personal Finds at Michigan 1885 Lumber Camp 7-13-06

DFIU said:
Great finds again, MB. Your knowledge and finds inspire us all, IMO.

Any suggestions on places for a tourist to hunt in the U.P.? Will be traveling there by RV in Sept & any hints would sure be appreciated.


DFIU (Dick from IA)
Tesoro Vaquero
Click to expand...

Hi Dick,

I see you know how to pick great detectors.

The very best treasure hunting in the U.P. is up in the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula from the central part to the Lake Superior side. I'm referring of course to hunting the so-called "Copper Culture" artifacts.

You can't imagine what it's like to dig a knife or point that was lost 4,000 years ago! At one time I had about 150 great pieces.

But to get started, begin with "float" copper. This is raw cooper that's plentiful in the Keweenaw. Contact motels up their via their websites and ask about detecting "float" copper. Don't mention "Copper Culture." Some hate outsiders coming up there to dig their goodies. Once you find the "float" copper you're not far from the "Copper Culture" areas. The things that apply to finding woodland Indian artifacts (flint arrowheads, etc.) also apply to finding the "Copper Culture" areas. People need food, water, protection.

The natives up there know where the sites are located and maybe you can get one to reveal some information. I know of people who dig dozens of artifacts nearly every weekend. Most are poundings but still great stuff. One fellow I met dug a Copper Culture bell! Yep, they had bells 4 to 6,000 years ago.

Hunting the lumber camps or Copper Culture is tuff business and usually involves a great deal of research and PR work to make connections. Also you need to be in pretty good physical shape. We're talking lots of walking, climbing, and digging in rocky ground. After 3 to 4 hours of digging I feel like someone worked me over with a hammer. Also, it really helps to have a very good 4-Wheeler.

The only reason I get into good sites is because I know certain people. Most of my locations are totally secret and I never reveal their location to anyone other than my wife (just in case I don't come back...LOL).

You can pretty much forget the published sites because most have been searched hard for the past 40 years.

1) do reseach to learn about what happened where and when.

2) zero in on one area and type of find.

3) go to coffee shops, gas stations, gift shops, etc., and chat with the locals in an area that interests you (this is major). Ask "Who knows the history of this area?" Find that person and let them talk. People want attention so badly today that if they think you respect them they'll tell you everything they know.

4) learn how to get information...it's an art.

5) be nice and giving..don't just take.

6) remember the landowner is always right.

7) never cut down anything (including grass) unless you first get permission to do so.

8) fill all holes even if the only thing walking that area are bears (and there are lots of them up there).

9) never reveal site locations to anyone other than those honest family members who need to know where you are.

10) one good site leads to others.

Actually, I'd say the real treasures gained are the friends you make as you make your connections.

It takes work but one good site can keep you busy for years. I have one site I've been working on for 13 years now.

I hope this helps a little and sorry I can't say more.
 

Nice digs, WTG!!!, and that's a great way to do some recycling. The little pewter object looks like it was made to end up as a bowl... ;D
Good luck, & Happy hunting~
 

Hiya Badger

Wow, another awesome post,
thanks for sharing all you great digs my friend.
Please, keep them coming.

I like the tiny pies in the dollhouse.

Smiles!
BDoo
 

Awesome Badger!

Love that little bowl! And it looks great in the little house!

;)
 

Thanks, Badger, for all the very helpful tips about float copper hunting in the U.P. Don't really know how much hunting and reseach time I'll have, but if the opportunity is there to experience this type of MDing, I'll sure try it.

I'll do some advance research here on the Net, so I have some idea of where I might go when we reach the U.P.

Thanks again.

DFIU (Dick from IA)
Tesoro Vaquero
 

Thanks again, Badger for another great post. :)

Do you have any copper artifacts to show us? I would love to see what they look like.
 

Mona Lisa said:
Thanks again, Badger for another great post. :)

Do you have any copper artifacts to show us? I would love to see what they look like.
Click to expand...

Hi Mona,

Last winter I cleaned out my computer but saved tons of pictures on CD. Now the problem is, what CD? I hate that I'm so disorganized.

I'll try to locate that CD when I get time. Until then you can see lots of examples of Michigan Copper Culture artifacts by doing a search with those 3 words.

And too, there's quite a debate over the Copper Culture people. We're not sure who they were. The "Native Americans" insist that they were their ancestors. However, the earliest skeletal remains of North America seem to refute that thesis.

It appears that the peoples of Europe were coming here long before the people we now call "Native Americans." Anyway, if interested you can find all this online. It's very interesting but the facts will probably never be known. I guess it's like who shot JFK.

Best,

Badger
 

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