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Articles

Vol. 27 (2015)

Beads and Pendants from Sedeinga, Nubia

Submitted
January 17, 2025
Published
2015-01-01

Abstract

Excavations conducted during the 2009-2014 seasons at the burial site of Sedeinga, Nubia, produced 3,400 beads and pendants of various materials which date to the Late Napatan and Meroitic periods, ca. 400 B.C.-A.D. 300. The chronological, geographical, and political situation of the site made the bead assemblage exceptionally rich in organic and inorganic materials as well as the technologies used to make the objects. During a period dominated by faience and glass in bead production, the use of organics and stones indicates strong links with the neighboring Nubian deserts, an overland connection with the Red Sea coast, and, surprisingly, an interest in the resources of the Nile River. A preliminary assessment of the beads provides more specific evidence to help date some of the Sedeinga tombs. Furthermore, due to known parallels, a few Sedeinga bead types can be associated with specific age groups.