Pure Minnesota copper shipped across Atlantic by Bronze Age Mediterraneans

 

 

 

Following on from the bombshell research of Gavin Menzies (2011), the highly entertaining and interesting Nick Spanos has written (2o24):

Minoans in Michigan and the Case of the Missing Copper | by Nick Spanos | Medium

 

Minoans in Michigan and the Case of the Missing Copper

 

During the Bronze Age, from roughly 3500 [sic] to 1000 BC, civilizations across Europe and Asia experienced an era marked by remarkable advancements in metallurgy and global trade networks. At the center of this transformative period was bronze, an alloy made from copper and tin, which fueled the rise of powerful empires and enabled significant technological and cultural progress. However, a compelling mystery endures: What happened to the millions of pounds of copper extracted from the shores of Lake Superior in North America? Where did it all go?

 

The Mystery of the Missing Copper

 

Extensive archaeological records confirm that over five thousand copper mines were operational along the southern shores of Lake Superior during the Bronze Age. It is estimated that these mines yielded millions of pounds of high-purity copper. Yet, only a tiny fraction of this copper appears in the archaeological artifacts left behind by the indigenous peoples of North America. The burning question remains: If Native Americans used only a small portion of this copper, what became of the rest?

 

One intriguing theory has gained traction among historians and archaeologists: The missing copper was transported across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, feeding the growing demand for bronze. At first, this idea seems improbable, but an increasing body of evidence suggests that the Minoans — an advanced and seafaring Bronze Age civilization from the Mediterranean — may have been responsible for this transatlantic trade.

 

Damien Mackey’s comment: I would probably identify these people as Cretans (Philistines) and Levantines, as I do not accept that there were such peoples as Minoans, or Phoenicians:

 

Of Cretans and Phoenicians

 

(10) Of Cretans and Phoenicians

 

Nick Spanos continues:

 

Revisiting the Minoan Civilization

 

The Minoans, who thrived from around 2700 to 1100 BC on the islands of Crete and Santorini, are often celebrated for their sophisticated society, impressive art, and maritime prowess. They developed extensive trade networks that spanned from the Indian Ocean to the Orkney Islands north of Scotland. But could their influence have reached even farther, across the Atlantic Ocean to North America?

 

Surprisingly, the Minoans possessed the technological means to make such a journey. Archaeological evidence shows that Minoan ships were robust and well-designed for long voyages. These vessels were more seaworthy than the ships later used by the Vikings, who successfully crossed the Atlantic to reach North America in 1000 AD. Additionally, the Minoans had access to advanced navigational tools, including star charts inherited from their close interactions with the Babylonian Empire. In fact, their knowledge of celestial navigation surpassed anything the Vikings had, making transatlantic travel by the Minoans a plausible proposition.

 

Evidence Supporting Transatlantic Trade

 

In his groundbreaking book The Lost Empire of Atlantis, historian Gavin Menzies presents a compelling case that the Minoans played a key role in extracting and exporting the Lake Superior copper to Europe. The evidence he compiles offers a fascinating and provocative perspective:

 

1.       Identical Mining Tools: The mining tools found in Lake Superior closely resemble those discovered in European mines known to be operated by the Minoans. The similarity in tool design implies a shared or transferred knowledge of mining techniques.

 

2.      Matching Pottery and Utensils: Pottery shards and everyday utensils unearthed at the Lake Superior mining sites are nearly identical to those used in Minoan settlements on Crete. This suggests that Minoan traders or laborers may have lived among or worked with the local Native American populations.

 

3.      High-Purity Copper: The copper extracted from the Lake Superior mines stands out for its extraordinary purity, exceeding 99%. Notably, many Bronze Age artifacts from Europe also contain copper of similar purity levels, hinting at a shared source.

 

4.      Abrupt End of Mining Operations: The copper mining activity at Lake Superior ended suddenly, coinciding with the decline of the Minoan civilization. This timeline aligns with the eruption of the Thera volcano around 1600 BC and the subsequent disruptions that devastated the Minoan world.

 

Genetic Evidence: The Haplogroup X Connection

 

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence linking the Minoans to North America comes from genetic studies. Researchers have identified a rare mitochondrial DNA marker known as haplogroup X, which is present in the modern descendants of the Minoans on Crete and in various regions across Europe and the Middle East where the Minoans had significant influence.

 

Intriguingly, haplogroup X also appears among the Ojibwa and Chippewa tribes near Lake Superior.

 

The distribution of this genetic marker points to an ancient link between the Minoans and the indigenous peoples of North America. Genetic analysis further suggests that haplogroup X was introduced to these Native American populations around the same time as the peak of copper mining activity, indicating a period of interaction and possibly intermarriage between Minoan traders and Native American communities.

 

Given the enormous effort required to extract millions of pounds of copper, cooperation with local populations would have been essential. The genetic evidence supports the idea that Minoan traders worked alongside Native American miners, forming alliances that facilitated cultural and genetic exchanges. The implications of these interactions remain a topic of ongoing research, but they offer a tantalizing glimpse into a more interconnected ancient world.

 

Plato’s Knowledge of the Atlantic and the Minoans

 

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato, writing around 400 BC, provides a curious historical footnote that may support the Minoan transatlantic theory. In his works, Plato described a vast ocean beyond the “Pillars of Heracles” (modern-day Strait of Gibraltar) and a landmass on the other side, which he referred to as Atlantis. While scholars have long debated the existence and location of Atlantis, Plato’s references to a navigable ocean and advanced seafaring civilizations align with what we know about Minoan maritime capabilities.

 

Damien Mackey’s comment: ‘Plato’ I would consider to be a fictitious composite, based on biblical characters, e.g. Baruch, and, in the case of some of his presumed writings, the prophet Daniel:

 

‘Plato’ much indebted to Jewish prophet Daniel

 

(10) ‘Plato’ much indebted to Jewish prophet Daniel

 

Nick Spanos continues:

 

It is plausible that the Greeks, who had inherited knowledge from earlier Mediterranean civilizations, were aware of the Minoans’ potential voyages across the Atlantic.

 

Over time, however, such knowledge may have been lost or distorted as the world entered periods of cultural decline and dark ages.

 

Damien Mackey’s comment: On “Dark Ages”, see e.g. my article:

 

How to obscure history? Just add “Dark Age”

 

(11) How to obscure history? Just add "Dark Age"

 

Nick Spanos continues:

 

Rethinking Our Historical Narrative

 

If the theory of Bronze Age transatlantic trade is true, it challenges many of our assumptions about the development of human civilization. History has often been presented as a linear story of continuous progress. Yet, the case of the missing copper suggests that history might be more cyclical, characterized by waves of cultural flourishing followed by periods of decline and forgotten knowledge.

 

The idea that a sophisticated trading network connected the Old and New Worlds thousands of years ago forces us to reconsider the capabilities of ancient societies. The Minoans, with their advanced navigation skills and global trade networks, may have been far more interconnected than previously thought. The potential for such transoceanic interactions expands our understanding of the Bronze Age and invites further investigation into the lost knowledge and achievements of our ancestors.

 

This cyclical view of history, with its booms and busts, also holds a mirror to our own time. Our current era of technological advancement and cultural prosperity has persisted largely uninterrupted since the 1200s. Could we be approaching another downturn, or have we finally broken free of history’s repeating patterns?

 

Conclusion

 

The mystery of the missing copper from Lake Superior continues to intrigue historians, archaeologists, and curious minds worldwide. While some say conclusive proof of Minoan transatlantic trade has yet to be found, the evidence — ranging from identical tools and pottery to genetic markers and advanced seafaring technology — paints a compelling picture of a deeply interconnected ancient world.

 

As new discoveries emerge and our understanding of the Bronze Age evolves, we may uncover even more secrets that challenge our views of history. The story of the Minoans and their possible voyages across the Atlantic is a testament to human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration — a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate us today.