Week 8 of 32 • Page 3
walk heel-to-toe in a single file. This left the smallest marks on the ground and allowed them to travel without being seen. Trading Sites Trade was very important to tribes. They exchanged food, goods, and information. Some locations were more permanent
trading locations, while others moved where the people went. One example of a permanent trading station is the straits of Mackinac. The straits of Mackinac is where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet. This area in the Great Lakes attracted tribes from all over the eastern woodlands to trade. The Odawa and Chippewa had villages at
Mackinac and conducted the trade. Most of the trade happened when native people went to other villages or designated areas for trade. These areas were often convenient locations along travel routes. One such site, the Dakota Rendezvous site, was held along the James River.
NATIVE AMERICAN TRADE ROUTES
Trade Goods
Two thousand years ago, there was a great city of people located in what is now Ohio and Illinois. Modern scientists have studied the remains of the city. The artifacts tell us that Hopewell was a huge metropolis of people, religions, entertainment, and trade. The variety of trade goods was extensive and came from all over the continent. There, archaeologists have recovered ocean shells from the Gulf of Mexico. There is evidence of pigments , which were minerals and soil from the southwest used in paints. The paints were used on pottery, hides, and body decorations. There was also evidence of mica . Mica is a mineral that is reflective and can be cut into thin sheets. Mica crystals are also used in paints, pottery, and decoration. The Appalachian Mountains on the east coast of North America have deposits of mica. The Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania and New York also have large pockets of limestone. Limestone is easily ground down and can be white in color. The white powder of limestone was used in the production of a variety of goods. Limestone can be easily obtained from open pits on the sides of the mountains.
Chunks of green copper ore and creations from copper were also discovered in the Hopewell city. Copper ore is found in the west, near present-day Utah. Ornaments, jewelry, utensils, and everyday items were also found in the
archaeological digs of Hopewell. These items provide evidence to the modern world that a vibrant and extensive trade network was in place in the Americas by the time of the Hopewell city.
Native American artifacts housed at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Human face effigy, Hopewell Culture Center
Made with FlippingBook Annual report