Beads

Beads can be classified by their material composition and physical form. Beads: The World’s First Jewelry - GIA

Beads are one of the world's oldest forms of human expression and technology, with a history spanning over . Far more than mere decoration, they have served as essential tools for trade, religious ritual, and the communication of social identity across nearly every global culture. Historical & Cultural Significance Beads can be classified by their material composition

: The word "bead" itself is derived from the Old Germanic and Anglo-Saxon words for "prayer" (e.g., bede ), reflecting their long-standing use in counting prayers, such as in rosaries. Historical & Cultural Significance : The word "bead"

Beads provide a vital archaeological "language" for tracing human migration and the evolution of complex societies. and the Americas.

: Known as "trade beads," these objects were used as currency and bartered by explorers and merchants for local goods in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.