An attribute analysis of archaeological beads from Shanga, Northern Kenya Coast

Abstract

This study is concerned with an attribute analysis of archaeological beads from Shanga site.From the written documents, it is evident that questions pertaining to bead analysis and interpretation have been inadequately studied by previous archaeologists , yet, will the except; ion 0 f pottery, bead s constitute the commonest class of artifacts on the coastal settlement t sites in Kenya. As one of the most valuable chronological indicators available, beads provide some of the best archaeological evidence for dating archaeological sites and commercial items. In this analysis Shanga beads are studied in terms of raw materials, manufacturer techniques, shapes, sizes , decorative motifs and colors. An X-ray fluorescence analysis of the inorganic bead material samples is also made to throw some valuable insight about the nature of raw materials used in bead manufacture by past communities on Shariga settlement t. The findings show that a wide variety of raw material were used in the manufacture of beads. It also showed that different colours, sizes, shapes and techniques were used in the manufacture of beads. All these apparently were based on the functions they served and the customers taste.