Dentalium: History and significance in Native American culture

Dentalium shells are small, tubular shells from a type of deep-sea mollusk. Their smooth, curved shape resembles a tusk, which is why they are often called tusk shells. These lightweight, durable shells were highly valued by Native American tribes for trade, jewelry and ceremonial use. The word “dentalium” comes from the Latin word “dentis,” meaning “tooth,” referring to the tooth-like shape of the shells.

Scientific Classification of Dentalium

Dentalium belongs to the class Scaphopoda, a group of marine mollusks that burrow into the ocean floor. They are commonly known as tusk shells or tooth shells. As University of Oregon researchers have documented, the most well-known species used by Native American tribes is Dentalium pretiosum (or Antalis pretiosa), which is found from Alaska to Baja California. Another species, Dentalium neohexagonum, ranges from Monterey Bay to Baja California.

Common and Indigenous Names

In 1994, Simon Fraser University researcher Andrew Barton documented historic source locations for dentalium and recorded names used by different Indigenous groups. Many tribes had their own words for the shells:

• Indian Money – A common term among Plains and Plateau tribes because of its role in trade.
• Wampum Tuskshell – A name used in early trade descriptions.

Other research has documented various Indigenous names, such as:

• a-srarul (Yurok)
• hiqua, hiaqua or haiqua (Chinook Jargon)
• tsukli (Russian)

Many Indigenous words for dentalium were lost due to the lack of early linguistic documentation.

Why Dentalium Shells Were Valued

Dentalium shells were prized for their natural beauty, durability and rarity. They were lightweight yet strong, making them ideal for beadwork, jewelry and clothing. Because the shells were found only in certain coastal areas, their value increased the farther they traveled from the Pacific.

For many tribes, these shells were more than ornaments. They carried deep cultural and spiritual meaning. Some were worn as status symbols, while others were given as gifts or used in ceremonies. The shells were also woven into marriage traditions, often included in bridal attire as a sign of wealth and good fortune.

For centuries, dentalium shells moved through vast Indigenous trade networks. Archaeologists have uncovered dentalium in prehistoric burial sites across North America, including in South Dakota, according to a study in Plains Anthropologist. Some shells found in the region were locally sourced fossil specimens, while others came from the Pacific, highlighting the importance of long-distance trade.

Trade Centers and Distribution

In the 1800s, traders observed that many Native groups in the Great Plains and beyond valued dentalium. The shells moved through key trade centers, including:

• The Dalles (Columbia River, Oregon) – A major hub where coastal and inland tribes exchanged goods, including dentalium.
• Mandan and Hidatsa Villages (North Dakota) – Key stops along the Missouri River trade network, where independent fur traders supplied dentalium by the 1850s.
• Great Plains Tribes – Lakota, Blackfeet and others acquired the shells through trade, often exchanging them for bison hides, horses and other resources.

According to historical accounts from Hudson’s Bay Company traders, Indigenous merchants measured the shells in standardized strings, similar to the way wampum was traded. The longer and more unbroken a shell was, the greater its value.

The Role of Dentalium in the Plains Economy

By the mid-1800s, dentalium shells were a fixture in trade exchanges. In 1866, traders in the Dakota Territory noted that just two or three shells could buy a buffalo robe, according to 19th-century accounts compiled by ethnologist Washington Matthews. The shells remained valuable for years, even as glass beads and manufactured goods entered the market.

Despite economic changes brought by colonization, dentalium never lost its cultural importance.

Dentalium shells meant more than wealth. They carried spiritual power. Many Native American tribes used them in clothing, jewelry and sacred traditions. Dentalium was worn as a symbol of status and influence. The shells were strung into necklaces, sewn onto dresses and attached to headdresses. Longer shells held more value.

Blackfeet and Lakota women layered strands of dentalium over buckskin dresses. Some families passed shells down for generations, treating them as prized possessions. In some communities, a bride’s family included dentalium in her dowry. The shells were a sign of prosperity and security. Spiritual and Ceremonial Use

Dentalium also held deep spiritual meaning. Some tribes believed the shells carried protective or healing power. Among the Coast Salish, they were used in purification ceremonies, according to oral histories recorded in the 1970s. Spiritual leaders across different nations used the shells in prayer and medicine. Some carried dentalium in medicine bundles, believing they brought strength and balance. In certain Great Plains traditions, the shells played a role in vision-seeking ceremonies. Their tusklike shape symbolized power, endurance and a connection to the natural world.

Dentalium shells don’t come from lakes or rivers. They come from the ocean. These small, tube-shaped shells are found along the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to California. How They Live and Grow

Dentalium shells aren’t just empty shells. They are part of a living marine mollusk. The animal inside is related to clams and squid. It burrows into the seafloor, feeding on tiny particles in the water.

Different species live at different depths. Dentalium pretiosum, the most sought-after variety, is found in shallower waters. Other species, such as Dentalium neohexagonum, live much deeper, sometimes more than 500 feet below the surface. While shallower species were likely more common in trade due to their accessibility, deeper water species were also used by some tribes.

How Native Coastal Tribes Collected Dentalium

For thousands of years, Native people along the Pacific Coast gathered dentalium. Tribes such as the Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka’wakw and Haida were known for their skill in collecting the shells.

The Nuu-chah-nulth, for example, harvested dentalium using long poles with a specialized rake or “broom” to carefully lift the shells from the seafloor. In some areas, divers collected them by hand. The Kwakwaka’wakw used a similar method with a long pole and a type of rake to collect the shells. These methods were designed to minimize damage to the shells and ensure sustainable harvesting.

Modern Collection and Availability

Today, dentalium is still collected, but modern methods have changed. Some shells are harvested commercially using dredging equipment that scrapes the seafloor. This technique increases supply but can damage marine habitats.

Some Native artists look for ethically sourced shells and choose ones gathered through sustainable methods. Others use vintage or inherited shells to keep older dentalium in circulation rather than buying new ones.