Contact Period Copper Arrowhead?

[Eastender]

I've been getting out and detecting frequently but have been too lazy to post my finds. Today I found what might be a copper arrowhead, please tell me what you think. The specific area I was detecting on eastern Long Island, NY has both native and early colonial artifacts and was cohabited during the contact period. Walking distance away is the site of a former Native American encampment that the Dutch reported had over 50 wigwams engaged in wampum production. The find was an isolate nearly three inches deep in the ground. Not from a midden pile, debris field, nor near a cellar hole. The contact period didn't last long. Smallpox epidemics nearly destroyed the entire local Native population by 1700. But wampum was also a form of colonial currency for some time. The Dutch introduced steel drills which allowed for mass production, causing the market to collapse. Plus they brought in glass beads.

 

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[vpnavy]

I searched Google and found Ancient Native Americans were among the world's first coppersmiths "...About 8500 years ago, hunter-gatherers living beside Eagle Lake in Wisconsin hammered out a conical, 10-centimeter-long projectile point made of pure copper...MORE..." A bunch more hits were available...

 

[Steve in PA]

Yes sir! Nice kettle point. Made from a copper kettle.

 

[jewelerguy]

very cool

 

[BennyV]

How far east on LI?

 

[Digger RJ]

I've been getting out and detecting frequently but have been too lazy to post my finds. Today I found what might be a copper arrowhead, please tell me what you think. The specific area I was detecting on eastern Long Island, NY has both native and early colonial artifacts and was cohabited during the contact period. Walking distance away is the site of a former Native American encampment that the Dutch reported had over 50 wigwams engaged in wampum production. The find was an isolate nearly three inches deep in the ground. Not from a midden pile, debris field, nor near a cellar hole. The contact period didn't last long. Smallpox epidemics nearly destroyed the entire local Native population by 1700. But wampum was also a form of colonial currency for some time. The Dutch introduced steel drills which allowed for mass production, causing the market to collapse. Plus they brought in glass beads.

Nice!!!! Congrats!!!

 

[river roamer]

Nice find Congrats

 

[oldmxrat]

That's a great recovery, congrats!

 

[Eastender]

After more research I think I have found the story behind my copper arrowhead. Check out this Stout Standard's Q&A with Todd Hiltz published 4-7-2017. The point typology is a match. Doesn't mention exactly where he found his but he lives in CT and detects throughout NE. The tribes of New England regularly came to eastern Long Island to beat up on the local tribes and demand a wampum tribute for protection. The English inserted themselves into this struggle, helping the Long Island natives subdue the invaders, using the opportunity to get their foot in the door and create the first English settlement in NYS. A major wampum production center was nearby. Either it was obtained in trade, fired in conflict, or used to resupply a cross sound trip.