Trade Goods: Pieces to the Puzzle

The study of trade items gives archaeologists clues about the amount of interaction and dependency among prehistoric settlements. Certain trade items can be traced to specific places of production, specific clay deposits, or stone outcrops. Pottery, marine shell, and items made of certain types of stone can often be traced in this way. (Scale shown in centimeters).

Obsidian	Shell Bead	Copper Bell

Shell Pieces	Mineral Pigment	St. Johns Polychrome

Trade Patterns

Recent excavations indicate that the east and west ends of Tonto Basin may have maintained different trade contacts. Those living in the west Basin went further west for trade goods, and the people in the east went further east. This pattern of trade with distant groups was maintained even when resources existed nearby. Rights to nearby resources may have been disputed, or the trade patterns may have served as ties to kin in different areas. The division in trade patterns may reflect the mix of local populations and diverse groups who migrated to the Tonto Basin throughout its history.

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