Preclassic Metal?

Abstract

The usually accepted earliest date for metal objects in Mesoamerica is the 8th century A.D. (Copan and Tazumal). There are, however, two occurrences reported in the literature which seem to have been ignored despite apparent ages much before this. One is reported found by Cummings at Cuicuilco in 1924-25. In part his account reads, “… resting upon the top of the horseshoe-shaped walls were the fragments of a copper wand that had been made of thin copper plate hammered around a wooden core and held together by copper nails. Some of the charred remains of the wooden core still clung to the copper plate.” The stratigraphy is somewhat difficult to follow in the account, but it appears that the find dates between the last stone construction and the volcanic action which partly covered the site. The spot was overlain by a uniform layer of yellow sand and clay and above this, “surface loam with traces of ashes and carbonized material at the bottom,” a total of at least 7 feet of soil. Cummings speaks of the copper as “crude.” It is uncertain whether the term was used in a metallurgical sense. If the object can now be located, a metallographic examination should be made.