when I ask questions about East Coast native Americans, I always say that I want to know about pre-Colombian times, but people always give me answers based on colonists' observations in 1600s. Is there any reason to think their way of life changed much in that 140 odd year gap?
Let me make sure I understand your question. Are you asking whether observations made in the 1600s can be taken as a measure of pre-Columbian life on the American east coast?