Old Copper Complex is a term used for ancient societies known to have been heavily involved in the utilization of copper for weaponry and tools.

It is to be distingished from the Copper Age (Chalcolithic era), when copper use becomes systematic.The Old Copper Complex of the Western Great Lakes is the best known of these.

Great Lakes natives of the Archaic tradition located 99% pure copper in the area of Lake Superior, both in veins and nuggets in gravel beds.

Eventually they learned to hammer the copper and produce a variety of spearpoints, tools and decorative objects.

In addition to practical use, the Copper Complex peoples traded copper goods to obtain other exotic materials.The Copper Complex can be dated as far back as 6000 years.

By about 3000 years ago the use of copper is increasingly restricted to jewelry and other status-related items, rather than for tools.

This is thought to represent the development of more complex hierarchical cultures in the area.