Hawk Bells - Medieval Tools and Mississippian Trinkets

Spanish historical records dated to the 16th century describe the use of hawking bells (in Spanish: "cascabeles grandes de bronce" or large brass hawking bells) as trade items, along with iron knives and scissors, mirrors and glass beads as well as clothing, maize and cassava. Although bells are not specifically mentioned in the de Soto chronicles, they were distributed as trade goods by several different Spanish explorers, including Pánfilo de Naváez, who gave bells to Dulchanchellin, a Mississippian chief in Florida, in 1528; and Pedro Menéndez de Aviles, who in 1566 presented Calusa headmen with bells among other objects. Because of this, in the southern half of what is today the United States, hawk bells are often cited as evidence of the Pánfilo de Naváez and Hernando de Soto expeditions of the mid-16th century. (http://archaeology.about.com/od/hterms/qt/Hawk-Bell.htm)

Spanish historical records dated to the 16th century describe the use of hawking bells (in Spanish: "cascabeles grandes de bronce" or large brass hawking bells) as trade items, along with iron knives and scissors, mirrors and glass beads as well as clothing, maize and cassava. Although bells are not specifically mentioned in the de Soto chronicles, they were distributed as trade goods by several different Spanish explorers, including Pánfilo de Naváez, who gave bells to Dulchanchellin, a Mississippian chief in Florida, in 1528; and Pedro Menéndez de Aviles, who in 1566 presented Calusa headmen with bells among other objects. Because of this, in the southern half of what is today the United States, hawk bells are often cited as evidence of the Pánfilo de Naváez and Hernando de Soto expeditions of the mid-16th century. (http://archaeology.about.com/od/hterms/qt/Hawk-Bell.htm)