New Research in Material Culture Studies: Archaeological Science Applied to Objects and Contexts

Glass trade beads are some of the most commonly found objects on early historical archaeological sites. More than being ornamental objects, they reveal exchange and communication between countries, cultures, and peoples. Numerous studies have been carried out on glass beads around the world, especially typologies and chronologies, as well as attempts to understand their symbolic significance in various cultures. More recently, physical and chemical analyses have brought new insight on these objects: origins, trade routes, manufacturing processes, etc. Both approaches are complementary. This session will present recent research from both the archaeological and archaeometrical fields.