Florida Trade Beads

[Harry Pristis]

This trio of beads, along with some others, was excavated in northern Marion County, Florida, roughly a half-day's march south of Micanopy. I only know the general area of the excavation.

The center bead is a straightforward lampwork bead. The other two are not perforated, and resemble small, crude, transparent marbles. The bead on the left is a deep bluish-green in color.

DeSoto came through the area, and Spanish missionaries followed. Someone suggested rosary beads as the use for the unperforated pair.

Does anyone here know anything about such trade beads?

[Lucas]

Very cool! Not perforated = not a bead, and the cobalt blue looks modern?

The middle one is definitely a Venetian trade bead. The stripes are thin and on the surface, and taper, so yes it is a wound bead, not drawn.

Dates? "1600-1900" is what you hear a lot. :P Because they made the same bead types for so long, you need a local context. What does that mean? Local, datable sites tell you what types were traded. I have never seen that one in a Great Lakes context, for example.