The Second Millennium Settlements - Volume 5

Beskrivelse

This book explores the discovery of a small Dilmun trader community on Failaka Island, Kuwait, dating back to the second millennium BC. It focuses on an impressive collection of 629 beads made from various semi-precious stones and glass.

An in-depth study of ancient beads revealing trade connections across regions.

Between 1958 and 1963, excavations on Failaka Island uncovered a unique assemblage of beads linked to a Dilmun trading settlement from the second millennium BC. The collection includes 629 beads, primarily crafted from semi-precious stones such as various types of chalcedony-agate, carnelian, jasper, and moss agate-and quartz varieties like rock crystal, milky quartz, and smoky quartz.

Other stone materials found among the beads include calcite, chlorite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and porphyry. Notably, some beads were made of glass, which emerged as a prestigious material during this period.

The study provides a detailed typology and classification of these materials, along with an analysis of the beads' dating and geographical distribution. It also examines manufacturing techniques, including how the beads were perforated and signs of wear from use.

In its concluding discussion, the bead collection from Failaka is compared with similar finds from contemporary sites on the island and in Bahrain. The book also explores possible trade links and cultural connections suggested by the materials and bead forms, proposing extensive networks reaching as far east as the Indus region and as far west as the Aegean.

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