Response to copper:
We may not need to find "new" specimens or sites as much as we need to reassess old ones, few of which have received more than limited attention by qualified experts. E. J. Neiburger recently applied xeroradiography to artifacts of the Old Copper Complex of Minnesota, where it has always been supposed that only cold-hammering of nuggets was used in making the more than 20,000 copper artifacts known from around the Great Lakes area. His study found, to the surprise of nearly all archaeologists, that some of the artifacts appear to have been cast, and at least one "provides firm evidence of casting." [See E. J. Neiburger, cited in John L. Sorenson, "Metals and Metallurgy Relating to the Book of Mormon Text," F.A.R.M.S. paper, 1992, 39, with abstracts.] "Excavated," if it is clear, does not mean "studied properly"—in Minnesota or in Mesoamerica.
http://www2.ida.net/graphics/shirtail/mesoamer.htm
Casting copper? Around the same time of the Book of Mormon timeline? If it was technologically feasible in Minnesota then why not in Mesoamerica?
>>If it was technologically feasible in Minnesota then why not in Mesoamerica?<<
Read the article I cut and pasted and you will know why.