Introduction
The Bead Study Trust was founded in 1980 to promote research into the use of archaeological, ethnographic and scientific techniques on beads, past and present, from all parts of the world.
The below image gallery is made up of photographs from these various realms of research.
Archaeological Research
Beads recovered from archaeological excavations at Mesopotamian site of Ur
Lapis lazuli and other beads from Ur
(ME 121518)
Reconstructed beadwork and headdress from the 'Royal Cemetery' Ur. (ME 122310)
Plain and etched cornelian and gold beads from Ur (ME 120598)
Beads recovered from Egypt and the Middle East
Phoenician glass bead from Egypt
(AES 16533)
New Kingdom glass beads from Egypt
(AES 14790)
Achaemenid pearl and gold beads from Iran
(ME 135089)
Beads recovered from various parts of Europe
Neolithic variscite beads from Brittany
(PE 1875,0403.561)
Anglo-Saxon glass bead from Yorkshire
(PE 1882,0323.46)
Magdalenian
pendants
(PE 1864,1226.897)
Beads recovered from Asia and Africa
Agate & carnelian beads, 4th century BC, Ban Don Ta Phet, Thailand. Photo: Ian Glover
Glass beads found by Sir Aurel Stein at Yotkan
Asia (MAS.147)
Glass beads used in the African gold trade
(AOA Af1863,0717.4)
Ethnographic Research
Married woman from Mashunka, Msinga, South Africa. Photo: Anna Alcock, 1998
Roasting a new pumtek bead to enhance the colour contrast. Photograph in Phayaggyi, Myamnar. Photo: Barbie Campbell Cole 2003
Native American moccasin with purple wampum, white and black glass beads Am1921,1014.95
Modern beads for sale in Morocco
© St John Simpson.
Scientific Research
Compositions of Prehistoric Glass beads from sites in the Mediterranean
Webdesign: Helen Taylor
© Copyright 2008 The Bead Study Trust all rights reserved
© Copyright 2008 of all photographs unless otherwise stated: The British Museum all rights reserved