What is the eastern woodlands economy?

Answer 1

As with any economic system the people of a community must gather and make the things necessary for their survival then distribute these materials usually in exchange for labor and/or other goods. Obviously someone or group with a product that is in high demand can stockpile goods taken in trade and build wealth which makes their general survival more successful. If we take a snapshot of the Eastern Woodlands (now New England inland Parts of NY and NJ) Natives around 1200AD, the economy is heavily based on collecting and processing nature's bounty; hunting wild animals, fishing, small-scale farming of grains, vegetables, mining useful stones and molding them into tools and weapons. What excess goods people produced were traded with traveling vendors who brought seeds, tools, metals, fabrics, and decorative objects from other indigenous groups as far away as the Yucatan or Arctic. Some such items became so in demand that import/export industries developed for things such as Minnesota pipestone, grains from the Southwest, or bison hides and bones to the far south. As the exchange of goods became a larger tally than an immediate group could keep track of, monetary systems developed as well including the use of durable discs drilled from Northeastern coastal seashells commonly called wampum. This material became so valued that belts fabricated of thousands of discs were created commemorating important events and laws or agreements. Many of these 'wampum belts' survive to be seen in Native American museums and The Smithsonian collection. What do you make or have a lot of that you trade or share with friends? ACG 9/12