An Exciting FIND! Copper Artifact?

[DrJoePrime]

Found this NOT at my landfill site.

It's close to where the 1932 Olympic rowing events took place and might be related to that.

It was down about 8 inches deep in a huge lawn. This place is close to former spectator seating for the 1932 event.

I brought it home and began cleaning it with a stainless steel brush...BUT I stopped and gasped when I saw it had a design on the front. Hopefully I didn't do any real harm ...it was very corroded and I only removed the corrosion.

My first thought was that it's a decorative item from the 1932 Olympics ... but the decoration looks to be hand made and my second thought is that it's a Native American artifact.

Now I actually do have quite a bit of knowledge of Mesoamerican artifacts but have never encountered a copper item. A Google search shows some Amerindian copper artifacts but mostly resembling animals.

ANY HELP or opinions are very gladly received.

This first photo shows the cleaned part in my hand.

Next is the closeup of the Design.

And in the final photo I've outlined (roughly) the design in my photo program.



Thanks for looking and HH, Joe

 

[Noodle]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Well, it looks copper and antique and about ... what, 4-6" long? 1.5" wide? Can we see a picture of both sides and a little smaller picture so we can see it in its entirety? And where were the 1932 Olympics held so we can have an idea without doing a lot of research? Since it was found 8" down in a lawn, it might have been from an old village with farther-back history than the 1932 Olympics. Just need more info, pls.

Interesting find! Thanks! -Noodle

 

[DrJoePrime]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

This was found in California close to the coast and close to the wetlands adjacent to the beach.

Here is an overall picture in my hand. and a view of the back. The back is slightly concave and almost resembles a spoon handle. The thumb fits very naturally in the concave place.

 

[Jsayre1234]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Could it be a letter opener?

 

[Nana40]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

That IS an exciting find, Joe! Have you posted it in the American Indian Artifact forum? They may be able to ID it for you, if it's Indian related.

Congrats on that find!

Nana

 

[DrJoePrime]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Thanks Nana ... this Treasurenet site has a lot of undiscovered Treasure for me. I've just posted it in the American Indian Artifact site and am exploring it also...Thanks!

 

[detectordan]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Found this NOT at my landfill site.

It's close to where the 1932 Olympic rowing events took place and might be related to that.

It was down about 8 inches deep in a huge lawn. This place is close to former spectator seating for the 1932 event.

I brought it home and began cleaning it with a stainless steel brush...BUT I stopped and gasped when I saw it had a design on the front. Hopefully I didn't do any real harm ...it was very corroded and I only removed the corrosion.

My first thought was that it's a decorative item from the 1932 Olympics ... but the decoration looks to be hand made and my second thought is that it's a Native American artifact.

Now I actually do have quite a bit of knowledge of Mesoamerican artifacts but have never encountered a copper item. A Google search shows some Amerindian copper artifacts but mostly resembling animals.

ANY HELP or opinions are very gladly received.

This first photo shows the cleaned part in my hand.

Next is the closeup of the Design.

And in the final photo I've outlined (roughly) the design in my photo program.



Thanks for looking and HH, Joe

 

[trikikiwi]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Awesome find - whatever it is.

I see a stylized tortoise and hare design

 

[SoreKneesDayton]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Looks like a museum piece to me. Treat it well.

SKD

 

[geodawn]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

That is a real interesting find. I'd be curious to find out what the markings indicate. It sure looks native.

 

[PALEOMAN]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

shell-fish opener?

 

[sqwaby]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Looks a bit like a tool used for weaving fishing nets

 

[lonewolfe]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

cool find

HH

 

[johnnycat]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Geez!!!!!! Way to go.

 

[tapoutking]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

I would start by checking some of the local indian tribes ie. Chumash etc. The Chumash were prevelent here along the coast in SoCal.

 

[utah hunter]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

I would also post this in the "Treasure Marks/Signs" forum. Your item could definitely be Spanish, and the marks could be keys to finding a mine or cache. Incredible find, you never know what you will dig next in this hobby...Ryan

 

[jimbob450]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

If you have a museum close by they might
be able to help. Jim.

 

[YankeeDownSouthAdv.]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

nice find!!!!!!

any updates on id'ing it yet?...six

 

[DrJoePrime]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

Update as of Wednesday 14th May

I've contacted the department head of American Indian Studies and he's scratching his head and looking for Mesoamerican experts. He said he'll be back to me sometime this week.

I've researched a little and the Chumash did indeed have a strong attraction to copper items...but these were copper bells and were made in Mexico and traded for. They used them in funerary ceremonies.

Regards and HH, Joe

 

[Detectingfreak]

Re: An Exciting FIND!

that is really awesome! I absoultly love the design!!!!