Wampum Production and Intertribal Exchange in the Northeastern Woodlands (c. 1500–1850 CE)

1. Coastal shell-bead exchange before intensive colonization

   Jan 1, 1500Labels: Coastal communities, Shell beads

   • Britannica

2. Wampum materials and color meanings standardize

   Jan 1, 1500Labels: Wampum materials, Color symbolism

   • NativeTech
   • Haudenosaunee

3. Haudenosaunee use wampum as diplomatic record

   Jan 1, 1600Labels: Haudenosaunee, Wampum belts

   • Haudenosaunee
   • Great Law

4. Wampum becomes key commodity in fur trade

   Jan 1, 1620Labels: Fur trade, Coastal producers

   • ANS Library
   • Native LI

5. Plymouth adopts wampum in colonial trade

   Jan 1, 1628Labels: Plymouth Colony, Wampum currency

   • ANS Library

6. Pequot influence grows through fur and wampum networks

   Jan 1, 1635Labels: Pequot, Trade networks

   • Britannica
   • Native LI

7. Pequot War reshapes wampum and tribute politics

   May 26, 1637Labels: Pequot War, Colonial forces

   • Britannica

8. Treaty of Hartford imposes wampum tribute system

   Sep 21, 1638Labels: Treaty of, Tribute system

   • Treaty Hartford
   • Leventhal Map

9. Wampum circulates as “small change” in New England

   Oct 7, 1640Labels: New England, Wampum currency

   • ANS Library

10. Metal drills speed wampum production after contact

    Jan 1, 1650Labels: Metal drills, Bead production

    • NativeTech
    • NMAI

11. Wampum inflation pressures colonial acceptance

    Jan 1, 1660Labels: Inflation pressures, Colonial policy

    • ANS Library

12. Wampum remains central to treaty diplomacy

    Nov 11, 1794Labels: Treaty diplomacy, Wampum belts

    • Onondaga Belt
    • NPS