More Than “A Few Blew Beads”: The Glass

and Stone Beads from Jamestown Rediscovery’s

1994-1997 Excavations

Heather A. Lapham

University of Virginia

Abstract

Investigation of the glass and stone beads uncovered during Jamestown

Rediscovery’s 1994-1997 field seasons identified 28 different varieties and established

a material line of evidence on which to base subsequent studies regarding

intercultural relations, exchange networks, and global commerce. Historically

verified blue beads dominated the assemblage, including dozens of robin’s-egg

blue, nueva cadiz-like turquoise, and nueva cadiz-like navy blue examples. The

overall assemblage resembled collections from 16th-century Spanish colonial sites

more than those from 17th-century English settlements in America. The distinctiveness

of Jamestown’s beads might suggest changes in bead production practices

and reveal a transformation in European trade kits.

1. Introduction

In January of 1608, English Captains Christopher Newport and John Smith

led a team of colonists on a trading venture to Chief Powhatan’s home village at

Werowocomoco. Once the Powhatan leader had informed the colonists of the

price he wanted for his corn, the two English captains began to argue amongst

themselves about fair exchange values. Tension mounted between Newport and

Smith but was eased when they saw Chief Powhatan’s reaction to a handful of European

beads. Powhatan, who had declined to participate in any trade up to this

point, “fixed his humour upon a few blew beads” and “importunatly desired

them” (Barbour 1986 I:217). Smith then increased the Algonquian leader’s eagerness

to exchange by embellishing the beads’ significance. He informed Powhatan

that the blue beads being offered were “composed of a most rare substance of the

colour of the skyes, and not to be worne but by the greatest kings in the world”

(Ibid., II:156). So fascinated with these items was the Algonquian chief that “for a

pound or two of blew beads” he offered “2 or 300 bushels of corne” (ibid.). Although

Jamestown’s early European settlers considered glass beads to be trifles, the

Powhatans held them in high esteem. For the local indigenous population, glass

beads were highly symbolic and ritually charged objects whose ownership was

linked to elite status (Potter 1989, 1993; Rountree 1989).

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