38" long strand of Dentalium (or Hiqua) shell beads found near the Columbia River.

38"long strand of Dentalium (or Hiqua) shell beads found near the Columbia River. Dentalium was the pre-contact medium of exchange on the Northwest Coast and the Columbia River. The shells were also worn as adornment in headdresses necklaces belts and as nose pieces. From the Bill Peterson collection. Bill was a member of the O.A.S.