Glass Trade Beads and Amazonia’s African Diaspora

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Archaeological Studies of Material Culture (General Sessions)" , at the 2021 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Glass trade beads are a staple in archaeological sites throughout the New World. Their appearance often raises questions about broad stroke themes such as trade, adornment, iconography, and burial practices. In the northern Amazon of South America, glass trade beads are found in juxtaposition to settlements ascribed to pre-Columbian groups and colonial period occupation sites. Though common in North America, in Amazonia, the appearance of glass bead types is rarely discussed within the context of African diaspora groups. This paper will discuss a diverse assemblage of glass trade beads recovered from the 17th century archaeological site of Jodensavanne or Jews Savanne in Suriname, SA; purportedly the first Jewish settlement in the New World. Special attention will be paid to the association of these finds to Jodensavanne’s enslaved population vis-à-vis as a trade good for the Amerindian population, that also maintained a presence at the settlement.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeological Studies of Material Culture (General Sessions)   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2021

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology