1994 Spring

Native Americans in Arkansas

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Greenhouse Trade Mission Arrives Seeking Goods of Plum Bayou People

TOLTEC MOUNDS — The Plum Bayou people at Toltec Mounds welcomed visitors from the south last week.

Two traders from the Greenhouse community, located near the junction of the Red River and the Mississippi River, arrived by dugout canoe. They are on an extended trip to exchange raw materials and goods. The Greenhouse traders have not been to Toltec Mounds since the spring of 890.

The traders from Greenhouse brought shells from the Gulf of Mexico. The most desirable are the conch shells, which can be made into cups, beads, and other ornaments. These items are especially valuable because the shells come from the distant sea and are sacred items. They will be used only by the priest chief and other leaders of the Plum Bayou people for festivals and ceremonies on special occasions.

The Greenhouse men wanted to obtain rocks that can only be found in the Toltec Mounds area. They especially wanted whole quartz crystals for use in their ceremonies.

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