A new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has identified the 'Turquoise and Shell' Seaway, a 1,500-year-old maritime trade route linking the Sea of Cortez to the Hohokam and Mogollon cultures of the American Southwest. Isotopic analysis of Pacific spondylus shells found in inland Arizona sites confirms a direct maritime-to-overland supply chain originating from the Gulf of California.
This discovery highlights the environmental history of the region, showing how ancient indigenous groups managed seasonal coastal resources to facilitate long-distance exchange. The research team utilized advanced drone-based bathymetry to locate ancient shell middens along the Sonoran coastline that served as vital hubs for this prehistoric economic corridor.