Why did brass kettles replace clay pottery in some Plains communities?

Brass kettles replaced traditional clay pottery in many Plains communities primarily because they were more durable and efficient to use. Traditional clay vessels were easily broken and required significant time and effort to produce.1

In contrast, metal utensils—which became available through the fur trade—offered a superior, long-lasting alternative for cooking. For nomadic groups, the fragility of earthenware was a particular disadvantage, as it was ill-suited for transport via travois. Consequently, as metal goods became accessible, many Indigenous peoples transitioned away from traditional pottery and stone tools in favor of these more resilient manufactured materials.12