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Photographs (left to right): Mt Charleston, Nevada; Cedar Keys, Florida; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

Wampum Belts No Known Provenience Archive

Ojibwa-Haudenosaunee

1700-1750

Harvard 03-9-10/62375

belt

R.D.Hamell December 08 2024

 

Original Size:

Rows: 6.

Reproduction:

Beaded length: 50.0 inches. Width: 3.0 inches. Length w/fringe: 47.0 inches.

Beads:

Rows: 299 by 6 rows wide. Total: 2,418 beads.

Materials:

Warp: Leather. Weave: Artificial Sinew.

Description 17000

ca 1720. Probably a treaty belt, diagonals signify temporary alliance. Was for treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Ojibwa of Great Lakes region.

Eight pairs of diagonals with white beads spaced out along its length. In places the belt shows evidence of repair where thread has been used instead of the more normal sinew. Whether these repairs were made by the Native groups or by the museum staff or other white owners is uncertain. Wampum was used as money in the past but now is used only for ceremonial purposes.

 

Reference:

Harvard University Peabody Museum 2024. Archaeology and Ethnology. https://collections.peabody.harvard.edu/objects/details/5030