Galilee Salt Marsh

History

Do you know the name of the tribe that lived in this area?

The Narragansetts were the largest and most powerful tribe in the area. They were known for creating objects made from shells and metal. The most common use of the quahog by the Narragansetts was the creation of wampum. The white and purple sections of this hard shell clam, known as the quahog, would be cut into beads. Wampum was used for bartering with the early European settlers. Wampum was used also used as money and a symbol of wealth, when it was woven into clothing and used as jewelry.