Carnelian Beads in Korea and Japan (c. 100-700 CE): Style, Technology and Trade patterns

Summary

This regional study of carnelian beads in Korea and Japan (c. 100-700 CE) provides new perspectives on patterns of regional and long-distance trade and exchange. Possible source areas for carnelian will be presented along with the major stylistic and technological features recorded from carnelian beads. Preliminary analyses confirm the existence of intra-regional exchange between polities on the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago proposed by earlier scholars. Long distance exchange with South Asia and possibly Southeast Asia is indicated on the basis of bead shapes and manufacturing technology. Many of the carnelian beads appear to have been drilled using diamond drilling technology that has its’ origins in South Asia. Additional drilling technology using stone drills or abrasives with metal drills may indicate local production or trade with regions in what is now China. Quantitative analysis of drill hole size and overall size and shape of the beads points to multiple workshops supplying the imported beads and additional workshops producing the regional or local forms. The distribution patterns of the beads in different polities may reflect changes in trade networks over time as well as stylistic choices of bead shapes used as a means of differentiating specific groups or individuals.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Recent Developments in East and Southeast Asian Archaeology I: Material Culture Studies

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 14327