DENTALIUM
SHELLS
These
hard to get shells were highly prized by the Indians. Plains Tribes
valued these for their decorative uses. The Northwest Tribes used
these shells as a money exchange. Among the Sioux (and other Plains
Tribes) they were used by the women to decorate the yokes on their
dresses. The men used dentalium for their chokers, earrings, necklaces
and other decorations. Fluted-type with ridges running lengthwise.