Copper objects, recovered from archaeological Mississippian period contexts in the Southeastern United States, form the nucleus of this paper. These objects are made from native copper that has been hammered into thin sheets, riveted and embellished with symbolic motifs. Several methods were used to capture fundamental visual data from these elaborate artifacts including: drawings; digital photography and microphotographs; X-radiography; and 3D non-contact structured light scanning. The images acquired allow the worked surface to be studied in greater detail, so that comparisons can be made between similar working patterns found over a selection of artifacts, and different working patterns found on the same artifact. Through this research it has been possible to elucidate significant aspects of sheet copper fabrication and its various applications in a Mississippian metalsmith’s workshop. The documentation tools have been used to create an extensive database, which will become part of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian documentation for subsequent researchers.