The provenance of Nueva Cadiz beads: a chemical approach

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Glass Beads: Global Artefacts, Local Perspectives", at the 2023 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

We conducted a chemical analysis of Nueva Cadiz from two 16th-century collections, originating from the namesake Nueva Cádiz site in Venezuela (1498–1543) and a pillaged site in Tiahuanaco, Bolivia. The two collections yielded similar results and we may infer they came from the same production centre. Here we focus on their provenance analysis, using an approach adapted to 15th–17th century polychrome soda glass beads found in the Americas and Europe. Our analysis points to the beads’ manufacture in Venice, using materials and methods compatible with Venetian cristallo. Because Nueva Cadiz beads are common in assemblages from South and Central America before 1560, Venice possibly supplied many beads exported from Europe in the 16th century. However, beadmaking also thrived in other centres, especially after 1560. Our approach can ascertain the origin of soda glass beads made in France, Holland and elsewhere.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Glass Beads: Global Artefacts, Local Perspectives   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2023

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow