Mississippian Hawk Bells

Hawk bells are one type of artifact used by archaeologists to identify contact between Mississippian Native Americans and European explorers like Hernando de Soto who invaded their territory beginning in the 16th century.

Hawk bells were small clapperless brass objects that in medieval Europe were used (in pairs) as part of the gear for falconry. They were brought to North America as potential trade items with the locals--and many of them today show up in Mississippian sites throughout the southeastern United States. Archaeologists like them because they are eminently datable: from the form of the bell you can tell whether they were presented by Spanish (mostly 16th century) or French and English (later) invaders.

One thing I find interesting is that items from falconry, the use of falcons to hunt wild game, would be traded to Mississippian people who held falcons in such very high esteem. Hawk bells were considered trinkets, I suppose, cheap throw away items to be used to trick the locals into trading for slaves, precious metals and information, but... I wonder what conversations might have taken place between the Spanish conquistadors and the Mississippian chiefs, helped along by their translators?

• Read more about Hawk Bells
• Guide to the Mississippian Culture
• Lifeways of the Mississippians