Exchange Expedition Wayside

Exchange Expedition Wayside

NPS Photo/ B Smith

Exchange Expedition 

Trade routes are located along waterways throughout the world. In the past, one of the trade routes used to obtain supplemental and specialized items was along the Salt River. The Salado exported polychrome pottery, intricate weavings, and raw materials. One of their exports was cotton, which continues to be a major export item for Arizona.

Trade networks brought abalone shells from the Pacific Coast, copper bells from northern Mexico, Scarlet Macaws from Mesoamerica, and artistic products from surrounding communities. Remnants of these trade items contribute to archeologists' understanding of prehistoric relationships.

(Image depicting a large open air village in Tonto Basin, known as Cline Terrace platform mound, as it would have looked in the 1300's. This image illustrates American Indian people trading, weaving, and performing other daily tasks. Illustration by Robert Ciaccio/2018.)

Scarlet Macaws

Archeologists found Scarlet Macaw remains during local excavations. These brightly colored parrots were used ceremonially. Live Scarlet Macaws were  brought from Mesoamerica and traded to communities throughout the Southwest, including the Salado.

(Image of Scarlet Macaw parrot below primary image.)