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Amelia Earhart Search Forum => Artifact Analysis => Topic started by: Chris Johnson on October 12, 2014, 01:28:28 PM

Title: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Chris Johnson on October 12, 2014, 01:28:28 PM
Latest from Amelia Earhart Archaeology  (http://ameliaearhartarchaeology.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bead-dazzled.html) Dr Kings Blog

Quote
This little (very little – the scale is in millimeters) red bead was found in 2010 at the Seven Site, a bit upslope from the SL- fire feature.  We’re in the process of determining what it’s made of (I think glass; others thing maybe other things), and are consulting with bead experts about where it might have come from, but I thought I’d put it up here so readers can speculate on it. 
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Krystal McGinty-Carter on October 12, 2014, 08:32:58 PM
Another Question. After "discovering" the pencil stub etc, was an inventory system instituted to ensure that small items didn't get left behind again? Sort of like how mechanics count and number their tools, towels, pens, etc? 
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: C.W. Herndon on October 13, 2014, 11:09:17 AM
Is it possible that the bead could have come from AE's bracelet that she wore on some of her previous flights? I seem to recall reading somewhere that she thought it brought her good luck but I have not been able to find a photo of her wearing the bracelet during the around the world flight.

Below is a picture of her holding the bracelet and showing it to her friend Claudette Colbert. I Found the picture in the Purdue University files but have been unable to find it again since they changed the format of the records.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: JNev on October 13, 2014, 11:25:53 AM
Great find, Woody, and the kind that we need to see if things like this bead are to ever be firmly attached as an Earhart artifact.

Krystal has raised some good points that underscore how vital it is to ensure we don't labor under false provenance.  I do have tremendous confidence in Dr. Tom King and know that he knows such things far better than I ever will - it is one reason that what he shares is so fascinating.  What is very interesting to me is not an artifact here or there of interest so much as the pattern that emerges: so many little things that start to create a mosaic. 

If one watches long enough, and is willing to step back to take in the whole of these things, then a certain statistical significance seems to emerge: how likely that so many pointers would lie in one encampment in this remote place?  Coasties carrying compacts, etc. have all been suggested, but it seems to me that such a fact would have been noticed in that small colony and remarked on in time.  There were other ladies - but how much time at that place, and with that much stuff, and stuff of north American origin?

Then take a walk on around the island, along the coral beaches - and come to the village... we have 2-2-V-1, and a sherd of plexiglass having the oddly same contour and thickness of that of the L10 windows (doesn't fit other known types in the region). 

Take a deep breath and listen to the wind... I'm not telling anyone what to believe, they need to make up their own minds, but it is a very interesting picture.

I hope the bead takes us somewhere, just as I await the Wichita report on 2-2-V-1.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Jerry Germann on October 13, 2014, 12:05:24 PM
Is it possible that the bead could have come from AE's bracelet that she wore on some of her previous flights? I seem to recall reading somewhere that she thought it brought her good luck but I have not been able to find a photo of her wearing the bracelet during the around the world flight.

Below is a picture of her holding the bracelet and showing it to her friend Claudette Colbert. I Found the picture in the Purdue University files but have been unable to find it again since they changed the format of the records.

https://findery.com/AtlasOfTheUnusual/notes/amelia-earharts-lucky-elephant-hoof-bracelet

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Dan Swift on October 13, 2014, 01:10:48 PM
This bead should be traceable!!  I am not sure how, but having an inventory of AE's jewelry collection would be a big help. 
Who made jewelry with little red glass beads?  Problem is, a lot still in use. 

        https://www.etsy.com/listing/127333464/70pc-glass-pearl-beads-6mm-blood-red?ref=related-4
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Krystal McGinty-Carter on October 13, 2014, 03:36:50 PM
Is it possible that the bead could have come from AE's bracelet that she wore on some of her previous flights? I seem to recall reading somewhere that she thought it brought her good luck but I have not been able to find a photo of her wearing the bracelet during the around the world flight.

Below is a picture of her holding the bracelet and showing it to her friend Claudette Colbert. I Found the picture in the Purdue University files but have been unable to find it again since they changed the format of the records.

Awe she looks so pretty in that photo! Unfortunately, that bracelet is made from an elephant hoof. No beads. Its on display at the birthplace museum in Atchison.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Doug Ledlie on October 13, 2014, 04:18:41 PM
Possibly a trade bead, hopefully link works


http://books.google.ca/books?id=FeUmL_sSeWkC&pg=PT23&lpg=PT23&dq=red+trade+beads+pacific+islands&source=bl&ots=NU75BpcAg4&sig=XMFgSP6QWRc4hN_WZaNAWDXaHcA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=K048VNCWMM-2yAS-iYDQAw&ved=0CD0Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=red%20trade%20beads%20pacific%20islands&f=false

"Bonito lure from Malaita, Solomon Islands made from pearl shell, Turtle shell and red glass trade beads. Collected in between 1883 -1900 by W H Lawrence. E285.Image courtesy Queensland Museum" http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/assi/2013/06/03/objects-with-connections/

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 13, 2014, 04:29:07 PM
Latest from Amelia Earhart Archaeology  (http://ameliaearhartarchaeology.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bead-dazzled.html) Dr Kings Blog

Quote
This little (very little – the scale is in millimeters) red bead was found in 2010 at the Seven Site, a bit upslope from the SL- fire feature.  We’re in the process of determining what it’s made of (I think glass; others thing maybe other things), and are consulting with bead experts about where it might have come from, but I thought I’d put it up here so readers can speculate on it. 

I told Tom I'd turn the Forum loose on this.  You bet me to it.

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Krystal McGinty-Carter on October 13, 2014, 05:02:53 PM
Latest from Amelia Earhart Archaeology  (http://ameliaearhartarchaeology.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bead-dazzled.html) Dr Kings Blog

Quote
This little (very little – the scale is in millimeters) red bead was found in 2010 at the Seven Site, a bit upslope from the SL- fire feature.  We’re in the process of determining what it’s made of (I think glass; others thing maybe other things), and are consulting with bead experts about where it might have come from, but I thought I’d put it up here so readers can speculate on it. 

I told Tom I'd turn the Forum loose on this.  You bet me to it.

You never know. Amelia traveled through some fun, interesting places. Maybe someone gave her a piece of jewelry, a beaded cloth, or other gift.

Hmmmm.....are things about to get juicy here? .....WAIT!!! *grabs a glass of wine and some popcorn.* Ok. GO!
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Jerry Germann on October 13, 2014, 08:35:23 PM
Latest from Amelia Earhart Archaeology  (http://ameliaearhartarchaeology.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bead-dazzled.html) Dr Kings Blog

Quote
This little (very little – the scale is in millimeters) red bead was found in 2010 at the Seven Site, a bit upslope from the SL- fire feature.  We’re in the process of determining what it’s made of (I think glass; others thing maybe other things), and are consulting with bead experts about where it might have come from, but I thought I’d put it up here so readers can speculate on it. 

I told Tom I'd turn the Forum loose on this.  You bet me to it.

You never know. Amelia traveled through some fun, interesting places. Maybe someone gave her a piece of jewelry, a beaded cloth, or other gift.

Hmmmm.....are things about to get juicy here? .....WAIT!!! *grabs a glass of wine and some popcorn.* Ok. GO!

She did say she made at least one exception to the pact that she and fred agreed upon....would be hard to argue that she couldn't have taken more ( especially a light object).

Below taken from Oceania;
In Batavia are entrancing treasures for the stranger from the west. Attractive as they wee, we could not weight down the Electra with purchases. To avoid temptation we had a pact to buy nothing at all - shopping must wait for another visit. To this stern rule I made a small exception. It was a sheath knife - a lovely hand-wrought thing bought at a metal worker's little shop.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 14, 2014, 07:38:36 AM

Below taken from Oceania;
In Batavia are entrancing treasures for the stranger from the west. Attractive as they wee, we could not weight down the Electra with purchases. To avoid temptation we had a pact to buy nothing at all - shopping must wait for another visit. To this stern rule I made a small exception. It was a sheath knife - a lovely hand-wrought thing bought at a metal worker's little shop.

The quote from Last Flight is:
"In Batavia are entrancing treasures for the stranger from the west. Attractive as they wee, we could not weight down the Electra with purchases. To avoid temptation we had a pact to buy nothing at all - shopping must wait for another visit. To this stern rule I made a small exception. It was a sheath knife – a lovely hand-wrought thing bought at a metal worker’s little shop.  ….. I plotted to wear this Javanese purchase at my belt over the Pacific and then offer it to my favorite Geographer” (J. O. LaGorce of the National Geographic Society)."

It was the possibility that the knife's sheath was adorned with beads that first got Tom King thinking about the bead we found at the Seven Site.  The bead may be a clue that leads us to other evidence.  There should be more beads there if we dig deeper and wider but a bunch of beads - even if they are Javanese - is not going to tell us much.  BUT the observation that AE bought a distinctive hand-wrought sheath knife that she planned to wear on her belt is the important point. It would seem to be just the sort of thing she would keep with her as a castaway.  That distinctive knife may very well be somewhere at the Seven Site and the spot where we found the bead may be a good place to start an intensive search for it.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: JNev on October 14, 2014, 09:41:35 AM
Whatever the bead is, it is man-made, judging by the casting seam (appears like an equator line).

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Krystal McGinty-Carter on October 14, 2014, 06:19:33 PM
Any clues as to what its made of? It looks a lot like some clay beads that I have.



*Edited because I really need to do a better job of proofreading before I post.*
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 14, 2014, 06:25:25 PM
Any clues at to what its made of?


No, but it's very light. Too heavy to be clay I would think, but I don't know.

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Krystal McGinty-Carter on October 14, 2014, 06:37:11 PM
Its definately not bakelite and it doesn't look like celluloid. It looks painted(?)  The clam shell casting marks are a giveaway that it was mass produced. Certain clays are sometimes mixed with synthetic resins to make them more durable while retaining the clay "look." That being said,  beads were and still are a major tourist commodity in Indonesia.  ( My "armchair expert" is showing....I've bought and sold vintage clothing and textiles since I was 15.)
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: C.W. Herndon on October 15, 2014, 02:45:03 AM
Thanks to Krystal and Jerry, above, for their revelations about AE's "lucky-elephant-hoof-bracelet". At least we now know for sure why they didn't find Howland Island. AE left her "good luck charm" at home. ;D
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Tim Collins on October 15, 2014, 03:38:44 PM
The quote from Last Flight is:
"In Batavia are entrancing treasures for the stranger from the west. Attractive as they wee, we could not weight down the Electra with purchases. To avoid temptation we had a pact to buy nothing at all - shopping must wait for another visit. To this stern rule I made a small exception. It was a sheath knife – a lovely hand-wrought thing bought at a metal worker’s little shop.  ….. I plotted to wear this Javanese purchase at my belt over the Pacific and then offer it to my favorite Geographer” (J. O. LaGorce of the National Geographic Society)."

Emphasis added

By the way, has National Geographic Society been approached for potential funding?
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 15, 2014, 04:33:32 PM
By the way, has National Geographic Society been approached for potential funding?

Several times in several ways.  Bottom line, Nat Geo is thoroughly soured on Amelia Earhart.  They sank a bundle into covering one of the deep-water Howland-vicinity searches and got skunked. 

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: JNev on October 15, 2014, 04:49:14 PM
By the way, has National Geographic Society been approached for potential funding?

Several times in several ways.  Bottom line, Nat Geo is thoroughly soured on Amelia Earhart.  They sank a bundle into covering one of the deep-water Howland-vicinity searches and got skunked.

I bought enough paper copies of National Geographic to sink the Itasca!  They ought to revisit... but I'd understand if you are worn out trying to get them to do so...

Question that comes to mind is "fair enough, but are you in this to solve the mystery, or just to back the test of a given hypothesis?"  Just because they were part of an off-Howland deep water failed attempt should not deter the thick-skinned explorer, IMO - but I'm sure that's wishful thinking.  But point being, she's a real icon, and she's really been missing for 77 years and counting, and she's gotta be somewhere out there - almost with certainty within a 300 mile radius of some point that lies probably between Howland and Niku (OK, OK, MHO...)...  :P

Oh well, wish we could get them aboard.  Just wondering if they could be re-persuaded to see the value in the WHOLE story - this phenomenon of people still looking in earnest, and of COURSE making a choice to back the most likely to succeed  ;D
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Tim Collins on October 15, 2014, 05:11:46 PM
One would think that recent developments would hold some persuasion... 
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 15, 2014, 05:47:38 PM
One would think that recent developments would hold some persuasion...

Reality check.  Nat'l Geo is a magazine and a television market. They make decisions based on the same over-arching concern that drives all magazines and television markets - advertising revenue.  Nobody is funding magazine articles or television documentaries about searches any more.   Too risky.  The Discovery Channel doesn't even have a documentary department now.  They've become the Trashy Reality Show Channel. If we find the Electra and want funding to go back and do a recovery we'll need mounted police to hold back the prospective producers, but until then it's up to us to find our funding from people like us who care enough to take the risk.  Have you contributed lately?
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Tim Collins on October 15, 2014, 06:08:56 PM
Reality check.  ... Have you contributed lately?

Sorry if such a discussion tries your patience. I'm just an amateur (never so pejorative as when you use the term) like most of the people on this forum. And no I haven't contributed lately, I put my wallet away a long time ago. But who knows, civility comes in many forms and perceptions may change. 
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Krystal McGinty-Carter on October 15, 2014, 07:21:51 PM
Hey Ric or anyone handling the bead in question. I dont know who you have lined up for analysis on the bead in question, but you might try the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have a very extensive collection of vintage textiles, jewelry, clothing, costumes, and uniforms.  They have an entire team that works exclusively in identifying and preserving just these sorts of things.  They might have some insight.  Just a thought.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Jay Burkett on October 21, 2014, 11:01:28 AM
Is there any possiblity that the bead is red coral?  See the attached photos.  (All bets are off if the bead is NOT RED.  I am color blind and red poses some problems.  If it is not red, then, never mind ...)

From the sample photos it would appear that coral beads are frequently imperfect in shape and the material frequently has imperfections.

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 21, 2014, 03:45:10 PM
Is there any possiblity that the bead is red coral? 

Not really.  Under magnification it's clear that the bead has a seam that runs all the way around.  It was made by gluing(?) two halves together.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Monty Fowler on October 21, 2014, 07:44:22 PM
Not gluing. That's the seam where the two halves of the mold come together. Common thing you have to deal with in model building.

LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Todd Attebery on October 22, 2014, 08:25:34 AM
How much does it weigh ?  How about the diameter and diameter of the hole through the middle ?
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 22, 2014, 11:28:49 AM
How much does it weigh ? 

The bead weighs in at .165 gram (.0057 oz).


Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Ric Gillespie on October 22, 2014, 11:32:24 AM
How about the diameter and diameter of the hole through the middle ?


See photos below.  Scale is mm.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Monty Fowler on October 22, 2014, 01:56:37 PM
Hmmmm, now that I see both sides of the bead, I'm rethinking "manmade." If that thing came out of a factory, you would think that the hole would be uniform through the axis of the bead. Or at least close. This hole is not.

Which may mean something. Or nothing at all.

LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Jeff Victor Hayden on October 31, 2014, 05:44:22 AM
Used beads very similar to this in fishing tackle, called stopper beads. Some of them have a smaller hole on one side than the other for use with different size line and swivel/hook/paternoster...

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=stopper+beads+used+in+fishing+tackle&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=EHRTVNTqGcyd7gbi6YCgBg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgdii=_ (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=stopper+beads+used+in+fishing+tackle&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=EHRTVNTqGcyd7gbi6YCgBg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgdii=_)
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Monty Fowler on October 31, 2014, 06:28:24 AM
Jeff - good find! One of the advantages of posting research questions to TIGHAR's Vast and Unpaid Research Department. One of the items in the Luke Field inventory is "fishing tackle."

Doesn't say what kind, but we need to explore whether these beads were used in the 1930s. Also, what else was found in the vicinity of this bead? If there were bits of badly corroded metal wire-like items found, which might have been hooks, then that's another indicator.

LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Dan Swift on October 31, 2014, 08:28:44 AM
You 'nailed it' Jeff! 
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Stacy Galloway on June 13, 2015, 06:13:41 PM
I was looking at Amelia in the Lae video to see if she was wearing any jewelry that could be attributed to this bead. At first I didn't see anything.

I thought that was the end of it until I realized that the 'scarf' she has around her neck is not actually tied around her neck. It looks to be tied to a necklace.

The scarf is a light piece of material that appears to be tied around something darker and much narrower.

If you watch the scarf in the first few seconds of the video you'll see that it doesn't appear to go completely around her neck.

When I captured a few photos from the video I was able to 'sharpen'  the images a bit. It still appears to be a scarf tied to a necklace. And now I'm wondering if it could have been a beaded necklace or something similar that would account for that little red bead.

My laptops's a real gimpster and can't handle graphics at all- I've got a new one on order and should have it soon. Meanwhile, I keep borrowing my husbands. The details of the scarf/necklace come out much better on his.

I know some of you are really good with graphics and I was wondering if you can pick out any more of the details.

Here are a few images, but it might help to look at the video first and see what you think.

(And best of luck to the crew on Niku! I know they're going to make some amazing discoveries!)

Lae takeoff video on TIGHAR (http://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/ameliavideo.html) and on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntkOyDanuRw)

Here are the images I captured (sorry about the quality):



Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Stacy Galloway on June 14, 2015, 10:56:58 AM
I've sent this to a friend to look over. She's got a background in graphics and is very interested to see what she can pick out. So far, she says it does look as if the scarf is tied to something else (specifically how the scarf seems to be knotted). But she defers on whether the scarf is tied to a necklace or perhaps another scarf. Also, it may be that the scarf is multicolored with the darker colors around Amelia's neck and the lighter colors on the ends.

Meanwhile, I'm so excited for the daily news from Niku. I love it that Ric keeps us landlubbers updated on their progress. I got completely hooked on this during the last few expeditions and am very grateful that the 'daily updates' tradition has continued :) Good luck out there!
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 15, 2015, 03:09:32 PM
Forgive me if any of this has been discussed in other parts of the forum, but regarding the bead: did Amelia wear earrings? Speaking from experience, I'm not sure I would consider including earrings in any kind of (previous) inventory list, or even think about them at all in context of travel or lightening a load. Any fasteners or metal used for the earrings may have corroded or washed away (or been used for more fishing tackle?).

Another theory which I'm sure has crossed everyone's mind is that it may have been a keepsake from home for any number of people who stayed on the island, or a souvenir purchsed in a sailor's travels.

Be gentle; I've lurked for ages but this is my first post.😕
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bob Smith on June 15, 2015, 05:19:04 PM
The bead material looks more like the old ones my mother had that were made out of some sort of pressed paper mache or maybe clay and I think they came from the pacific area, maybe Japan. I'll do more research...
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bob Smith on June 15, 2015, 05:36:48 PM
There are many sizes and colors available, but not many of a solid color. could be our artifact was weathered to a point that all design was obliterated or worn off.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 15, 2015, 06:55:50 PM
Bob, funny you should mention worn-off decoration. As I looked at the bead I relly thought I saw stripe remnants.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 15, 2015, 08:57:59 PM
A quick ebay search using the sophisticated key phrase 'old red bead' yielded an interesting result. Looking at any one of the several red coral beads I saw pitting that looked similar to that on the artifact. Here's one.
Also, I just can't shake the earring idea, so I asked my mother (who makes beaded jewelry) if she could think whether there would be a reason to want a jewelry bead to have one end of the hole larger in diameter than the other. She couldn't think of a reason. Just some thoughts, for what they're worth.

EDIT: Darn, I just reread the thread and saw where Ric said it really wasn't possible the bead is red coral. Oh, well.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bob Smith on June 15, 2015, 09:23:32 PM
https://img0.etsystatic.com/037/0/9206400/il_214x170.571913592_nnno.jpg
Yes Margaret, that makes sense doesn't it - coral beads. something probably found locally or within the island neigborhood, or could be from anywhere! commonly used material for jewelry, though, and probably used forever! But why only one? Maybe they'll find more.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 15, 2015, 11:45:20 PM
Hi, Bob! I'd sure like to take credit for the coral idea but Jay Burkett brought it up earlier in the thread. I just latched on to it. I have absolutely no expertise in any subject save flights of fancy and the random spitting-out of various thoughts. My post before was a mixture of both.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bob Smith on June 16, 2015, 06:13:35 AM
I guess no matter what the beads are made of or how they were made, the important thing is did Amelia wear them? There are gazillions of beads used for gazillions of uses. How do we find out if Amelia (or Fred ) was the user of these particular beads?
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 10:25:00 AM
Thanks for being so kind while breaking in a newbie, Bob!  :)

Whatever substance it is made from, I suppose it would be almost secondary to determining ownership, wouldn't it? Although if we could determine a use for the bead (by using features such as markings that might indicate whether a metal pin had been been stuck through the hole and worn a small circle around the rim on one side) that might tell us what type of person might have used it.

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bob Smith on June 16, 2015, 11:55:04 AM
Yes, you're right of course, and I didn't mean to sound like I was critisizing anybody. Its usage and origin would be very interesting and help determine who the beads belonged to. I'm hoping someone can find a picture or direct reference to Amelia's use of beads of this kind, but I don't think that would be any easier now that I think about it. The most likely of the existing possibilities, in my mind, is the fishing stopper, or trading piece, as some one suggested already. We know its very light in weight, small and durable with a hole in it!
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bob Smith on June 16, 2015, 12:20:29 PM
The technology for glass beadmaking is among the oldest human arts, dating back 3,000 years (Dubin, 1987).[citation needed] Glass beads have been dated back to at least Roman times. Perhaps the earliest glass-like beads were Egyptian faience beads, a form of clay bead with a self-forming vitreous coating. Glass beads are significant in archaeology because the presence of glass beads often indicate that there was trade and that the beadmaking technology was being spread. In addition, the composition of the glass beads could be analyzed and help archaeologists understand the sources of the beads.[1]
The above is a copy of the first  paragraph in Wikopedia under the subject of beadmaking. There is a large article here pertaining to glass bead manufacturing and there must be a lot more on other types of beads and their manufacture. Really interesting!
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 12:41:12 PM
Oh, no, I didn't feel like it was a criticism at all! I hope I didn't sound defensive because I didn't mean to. I took what you said as a helpful reminder of the importance of considering things in relation to A.E., which is useful when you're just getting your toes wet here.

Funny how a tiny bead can signify the tip of a huge, beaded iceberg. I, too, have been searching the internet for relevant material (I want to read the Wiki article in-depth; looks interesting) and have come up with a question. I wonder if Ric and the others would consider splitting the bead to determine its properties. Then we could maybe get an idea of where in the world it might be likely to come from (or to NOT have come from).

I do believe the most likely theory is that it is a trade bead but can't help being intrigued by other ideas.

I think from here on out it will be useless trying to resist the urge to squint at each picture of Amelia, hoping to see beads!

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 01:22:34 PM
I was looking at Amelia in the Lae video to see if she was wearing any jewelry that could be attributed to this bead. At first I didn't see anything.

I thought that was the end of it until I realized that the 'scarf' she has around her neck is not actually tied around her neck. It looks to be tied to a necklace.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 01:31:27 PM
Re: Stacy's quote above. Not sure where AE was here but apparently she did something similar in this picture, unless this is indeed a graphic on the scarf:
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Monty Fowler on June 16, 2015, 01:45:50 PM
I shall have to consult with my scarf expert, me being male and all.

LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 03:34:57 PM
Pro Tip, Monty: Always make sure the scarf brings out your eyes! ;)

Edited because I don' get names right without a recent cup of coffee!
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Stacy Galloway on June 16, 2015, 06:05:05 PM
Forgive me if any of this has been discussed in other parts of the forum, but regarding the bead: did Amelia wear earrings? Speaking from experience, I'm not sure I would consider including earrings in any kind of (previous) inventory list, or even think about them at all in context of travel or lightening a load. Any fasteners or metal used for the earrings may have corroded or washed away (or been used for more fishing tackle?).

Another theory which I'm sure has crossed everyone's mind is that it may have been a keepsake from home for any number of people who stayed on the island, or a souvenir purchsed in a sailor's travels.

Be gentle; I've lurked for ages but this is my first post.😕

:) I looked for earrings too. And, like you, it does have me searching other photos of Amelia to see what kind of jewelry she wears :)

I was wondering if the difference in the diameter of the holes is due to it being 'hand punched'? I don't know if that's the right word for jewelry, but I'm thinking of a needle being pushed through the bead to make the hole... the pointy end would leave a narrower second hole than where it was shoved through the first hole. Does that make sense?

Maybe they will find more beads on this Niku expedition :)

Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Monty Fowler on June 16, 2015, 06:31:01 PM
Maybe they will find more beads on this Niku expedition :)

It would be wonderful but ... probably not. The bead was found at the Seven Site, on the far end of the island from where the ground search is concentrating this year, and as I understand it, the cruise ship passengers are going to stay on that end of the island also. But serendipity is always a wonderful thing.

LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bob Smith on June 16, 2015, 07:58:04 PM
Hear is another article on how to identify vintage beads:
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 09:23:26 PM
Forgive me if any of this has been discussed in other parts of the forum, but regarding the bead: did Amelia wear earrings? Speaking from experience, I'm not sure I would consider including earrings in any kind of (previous) inventory list, or even think about them at all in context of travel or lightening a load. Any fasteners or metal used for the earrings may have corroded or washed away (or been used for more fishing tackle?).

Another theory which I'm sure has crossed everyone's mind is that it may have been a keepsake from home for any number of people who stayed on the island, or a souvenir purchsed in a sailor's travels.

Be gentle; I've lurked for ages but this is my first post.😕

:) I looked for earrings too. And, like you, it does have me searching other photos of Amelia to see what kind of jewelry she wears :)

I was wondering if the difference in the diameter of the holes is due to it being 'hand punched'? I don't know if that's the right word for jewelry, but I'm thinking of a needle being pushed through the bead to make the hole... the pointy end would leave a narrower second hole than where it was shoved through the first hole. Does that make sense?
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 09:30:11 PM
Sorry, still working on getting the hang of quote boxes, etc.!

 To my dismay, I haven't seen any pics of AE with earrings. Have you had any luck, Stacy? :'(

The way you describe the possible reason for the hole diameter difference is exactly what I thought, too. It's consistent with the little research on handmade beads I've seen.

Here's to computer screens and magnifying glasses!
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 16, 2015, 10:05:33 PM
In regards to the trade bead theory, I understand the Bushnell men did some trading with the people on the island, although I think the Bushnell papers state the ideal place to stop the ship was some distance from the seven site.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Stacy Galloway on June 17, 2015, 12:22:18 PM
Sorry, still working on getting the hang of quote boxes, etc.!

 To my dismay, I haven't seen any pics of AE with earrings. Have you had any luck, Stacy? :'(

The way you describe the possible reason for the hole diameter difference is exactly what I thought, too. It's consistent with the little research on handmade beads I've seen.

Here's to computer screens and magnifying glasses!

No luck with any earrings... the earrings back then would have been the old-style 'clip-on' as pierced ears weren't an 'American'  thing until the late 50s. Not saying Amelia wouldn't have done such a thing anyway :) but for now, I haven't seen any sign of her wearing earrings with her flying outfits.

If the bead is Amelia's then I would go with it coming from a bracelet, necklace, or some other ornamentation (a button, a bead from a shirt, an ornament on her knife or an ornament from some unknown gift).

She wasn't wearing a bracelet in her last photo, but she was wearing a watch. Again, no sign of earrings, though.

A bead like that seems more likely to come from a woman rather than a man, but as Jeff pointed out they were also used for fishing.

I also thought about what the Coast Guard (who were stationed on Niku) might be doing with such a bead. That gets into all sorts of scenarios such as a guy keeping a string of beads as a memento of his gal, or any number of other situations.

Please update if you find anything :) And I'll keep looking too...
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 17, 2015, 08:06:34 PM
I read a fascinating excerpt from a book called Pacific Jewelry and Adornment by Neich, et al. It focuses on adornment in Kiribati and similar areas, and while I don't know how much relevant information we can glean from it, it at least illustrates that there was an interest in such things in that region. It's a quick read. I won't link it here because I'm not sure about copyright laws, but I just googled 'Kiribati trade bead' and found an entry for Google Books.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Steve Lyle Gunderson on June 19, 2015, 11:38:16 PM
Not much help but, I was going thru some pictures of Amelia that I have collected from on line and noted that some of her long sleeved shirts had cufflinks. Not sure that we can see any well enough to tell whether or not beads are involved with the ornamentation. The pictures of the layover in Lae show that she was wearing a short sleeved shirt, but maybe she had a long sleeved shirt in her belongings. Cufflinks were the only thing resembling jewelry that I saw in any of the pictures with the exception of staged publicity photos with pearl necklace and her 'wings'.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: James Champion on June 20, 2015, 08:52:28 AM
Steve -
Your comment about cufflinks made me thing of another artifact that has an unknown origin. It took a long search, but the artifact is called 2-9-S-75 and is referred to as "dragonfly". Some have suggested it is part of a vacuum tube, but being made of brass (I think) excludes it (brass would outgas in a vacuum rendering the tube unusable). Could 2-9-S-75 be part of a fancy cufflink?  I am unable to find a clear picture of 2-9-S-75 on the website, only a sketch.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Margaret Sanders on June 20, 2015, 01:34:53 PM
James- I showed my husband the sketch of that artifact. He said it looked as though it might be part of a pump impeller. I have no idea but thought I'd share his idea.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Guido Almekinders on July 15, 2015, 02:45:43 PM
1930's fishing tackle (pic found on internet). The fact that there is a seam makes me think the bead is either part of fishing tackle or a cheap souvenir, rather than quality jewelry.
Title: Re: Bead-dazzled
Post by: Bill Lloyd on August 09, 2015, 08:48:03 PM
Red beads handcrafted in Java. http://www.happymangobeads.com/redroundishglassbeads5-7mmjv658.aspx (http://www.happymangobeads.com/redroundishglassbeads5-7mmjv658.aspx)