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I guess I’m looking at it from a metal detectors perspective, other than trying to survive, what did they have as in currency or tender, what metal would they have, coins, weapons, obviously I don’t know so I’m asking.
Will vary with Nation.
Tribe.
Region.
Though some things traded hands over great distance at times.
The Red ochre "society" obviously favored that.
Ojibwe and more cowrie shell use. (What was their source?)
Wampum in the Eastern woodlands.
Perhaps obsidian held value when brought to areas it wasn't common.
In the great lakes region , copper.
Post Euro contact quite a variety of items.
From Russian beads on West coast to about anything shipped across the oceans.
Colonial beadworks were influenced by the very secretive Italian trade. Being a glass worker in Italy meant guarding the secrets or being in danger. Including ones family.
Too , it was understood that glutting the market would reduce the value of glass.
Metal (iron) hooks and spears and blades and kettles and awls ..
Wool rade cloth. Linin.
Funerary relics hint of regions and eras values.
A bone comb perhaps.
Copper knife.
Beads bannerstones and more likely.
There were pottery makers. Bark basket and more from bark use makers.
Sugar makers.
Of course watercraft.
A site of pottery work had evidence it was a long time use. With proper resourses. Not just anything works! Clay type. Tempering material. Though used pottery or rejects might work for a temper , sand and burnt shell might be better?
A claim I haven't supported had Algonkins bring meat and furs South from upper Michigan or even beyond to trade. Given the clime and mineral soils , IF Southern areas had grain it would have been valuable in that relationship.
Gar scales might have traveled through routes.
Why not shark teeth ect.?
Flint quality varied. Sources can often be traced from samples.
Areas where chert was the common lithic material might appreciate the option of a good condition and quality flint.
Archeological records have shown me different type(style) heads of varied material in the same context. Both era /deposit time , and location. Together. Many miles apart in my state. Near hearths on deliberate structured ground.
How was that done? My guess of a coalition or allies ceremony or agreement of sorts is just another unproven.
Shell middens offer evidence a lot of shell was available,
Besides wampum there were plenty of shell uses.
(Even Euro's adopted shell buttons.)
What did oyster consuming natives do with pearls?
Or the "fresh water" pearls and slugs out of clams?
Porcupine quills were cleaned and the ends cut off , dyed ,then flattened.
Quill work is impressive.
Who lives where quills are scarce?
(A Florida trader visiting here one year wanted many. The few I had left were at home. Had I known in advance some road hits could have been skinned and boraxed.)
Unique to a region that doesn't have it , it can be a potential trade item.
Native silver. Turquoise. Petosky stones. Squirrel hides where squirrels don't exist. An otter hide maybe for a pipe or arrow case.
Easily worked Pipestone where pipestone doesn't exist..
