The Accomac chiefdom made up for the lower density of deer and oyster in their territory by focusing their efforts more intensely on other food resources. This included an increased reliance on fish resources combined with some of the most extensive corn-bean-squash farming activities in the entire Bay region. Very few shell midden archaeological sites are reported in their former territory. They also traded marine shell beads and a black drink root plant to Powhatan in exchange for furs and others items which they needed. Powhatan noted he was allied to them for their marine shell beads but that they maintained a degree of independence given the challenge of crossing the wide mouth of the Bay in dugout log canoes. But this distance did not prevent the Accomac from possibly be affected by old world illness. They reported to Smith a strange incident not long before, when many of their people died from inspecting the bodies of two youths who died but looked strangely life-like. Most natives who came to see these bodies suddenly died shortly there after.