Trade bead fragment?

[JohnDee1]

Now this is probably nothing, but I’ve had this little object for a while and it’s been bugging me. Fairly certain it’s glass, due to the pitting on its surface and and the similarities in texture to other beads in my possession. In addition to this, it has mineralization deposits reminiscent to some patina. Lastly it has heavy curvature to it. All these factors combined have lead me to believe this could possibly be a the corroded fragment of a white glass trade bead. Area has had both settler and Native American activities, and beads have been found in archeological contexts south of me. Soil where I am at is acidic. When I first found it, I thought it was plastic and did a flame/hot needle test, which it passed. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Is it a bead fragment? Just junk? Thanks for reading.

 

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[JohnWhite]

I think that it looks like a piece of sea shell…I could be wrong…

Ed T

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I am only seeing a piece of sea shell....

 

[Hunter1805]

Sure looks like a shell and so does the trade beads I have they are made of shells. If foud in my area it would be a shell. If it was found at my river trade site it would be a bead... Context ..... any other trade beads or trade items found at the location?

 

[Tdog]

I see nothing that defines it as a bead!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Sure looks like a shell and so does the trade beads I have they are made of shells. If foud in my area it would be a shell. If it was found at my river trade site it would be a bead... Context ..... any other trade beads or trade items found at the location?

My problem is I don't see any signs of being worked or touched by man, if there was a drill hole or etchings would be different, I can only see a piece of a shell..

 

[Hunter1805]

Maybe I should have said it does not look like it was worked but may have been brought to the site with other shells in order to make the shell beads. The hole is missing and no sign of being worked I would weigh in at this case.. Its just an orphan shell.

 

[digi-shots]

It looks like it’s photo’d with a piece of pottery..?
were they both found fairly close to each other?
Bits of shell and sand were used to temper pottery to make it stronger and less like to collapse or break.

 

[unclemac]

shell

 

[JohnDee1]

Thank ya'll for the responses. While I am fairly certain it is not shell, I am now certain as well that it is not a fragment of bead.
Best,
J

 

[unclemac]

shell, I find those all the time on the coast... by the handful. In my case oyster.

 

[JohnWhite]

It looks like it’s photo’d with a piece of pottery..?
were they both found fairly close to each other?
Bits of shell and sand were used to temper pottery to make it stronger and less like to collapse or break.

The fragment of pottery does look pretty cool…

Ed T

 

[LandSeig]

Definitely a shell, they are pretty common down here. The ridges are growth rings and the pits are natural too. Probably some variety of clam. Could be sign of a camp though, if you’re finding a lot of them. We look for shell middens down here, basically a pile of shells from a campsite.