Trade and currencies
Metal Tools
Lewis and Clark and other early traders found that Indian people greatly desired metal and metal tools. While traditional tools made of bone and flint were efficient, ready-made metal blades were more durable and made work both faster and easier.
Plains Indian women used sharply pointed metal awls and knives as all-purpose tools throughout the day, carrying them in decorated cases suspended from their belts. The cutlery items used in the Indian trade were primarily made in England. Indian people also quickly learned to fashion scrap metal into arrow points, knife blades, and other tools and weapons, as well as decorative items.
Top: Woman’s knife and case, 30-69-10/K52
Bottom: Metal awl and beaded case, 972-6-10/51592
(Courtesy Peabody Museum)
