Shells:
Although produced by organisms, shells of molluscs are mineral
in composition, and are therefore discussed in this section. Shells of
fossil molluscs and brachiopods (such as Inoceramus, and spirifers)
found locally, fresh water clams (origin uncertain) and seashells (from
both Pacific and Atlantic waters) have been found in Chaco ruins. In
terms of absolute numbers, and the number of ruins in which they have
been found, the leading shells are Olivella, Glycymeris, Strombus, and
Murex. Haliotis (abalone) shells have been found only at Pueblo
Bonito, to date. The last named five genera, together with other genera
(such as Conus, Turritella, Cerithidea, and Trivia) found in ruins of
the San Juan drainage outside of the Chaco Canyon, must have been
obtained by trade as their nearest sources would be the Gulf of California,
the Pacific Coast of the Californias, and the Gulf of Mexico—
all hundreds of miles distant. The bulk of shells known in the Chaco
came from Pacific waters. Shells were used principally for beads and
other ornaments, but also for trumpets (Strombus and Murex), and as
receptacles (Haliotis).
