Spherical Bead
- காலகட்டம்
- Historical
- திகதி/காலம்
- 2025-08-06
- பயன்படுத்தப்பட்ட மூலப்பொருட்கள்
- Carnelian
- அளவுக் குறியீடுகள் (பரிமாணங்கள்)
- L-17.48mm, W-17.43mm
- கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்ட தளம்
- Godawaya Shipwreck
- தற்போதைய இருப்பிடம்
- Gallery 01
- பதிவு எண்
- SL/S/GDV/2018/021
முழுமையான விளக்கம்
Slightly rolled/ weathered
ground, rough
10.0R 3/8 Barn Red
ground, rough
10.0R 3/8 Barn Red
வரலாற்றுப் பின்னணி
Beads from the Godawaya Shipwreck
The beads are a small but unique assemblage of artifacts recovered from the Godawaya shipwreck. This remarkable collection of 54 beads is the first assemblage of its kind ever recovered from an underwater archaeological site in Sri Lanka. Crafted in elegant forms such as spherical and oblate discs, the beads were made from semi-precious materials including carnelian, agate, and marine coral.
Carnelian beads, closely resembling these, are well known from excavations at megalithic cemeteries like Ibbankatuwa, monastic sites such as Jetavana, and ancient ports and cities including Tissamaharama, Anuradhapura, and Manthai. Since carnelian does not occur naturally in Sri Lanka, these finds highlight long-distance trade connections, most likely with the Deccan region of India and beyond.
Microscopic studies show that the beads were perforated using diamond-tipped drills, a sophisticated technique of the time. Further morphological analysis suggests that the beads were unused when the ship sank, indicating they were probably part of a cargo intended for exchange rather than personal ornament.
Together, these beads illustrate both the sophistication of ancient bead-making technology and Sri Lanka’s pivotal role in the wider Indian Ocean exchange network.
The beads are a small but unique assemblage of artifacts recovered from the Godawaya shipwreck. This remarkable collection of 54 beads is the first assemblage of its kind ever recovered from an underwater archaeological site in Sri Lanka. Crafted in elegant forms such as spherical and oblate discs, the beads were made from semi-precious materials including carnelian, agate, and marine coral.
Carnelian beads, closely resembling these, are well known from excavations at megalithic cemeteries like Ibbankatuwa, monastic sites such as Jetavana, and ancient ports and cities including Tissamaharama, Anuradhapura, and Manthai. Since carnelian does not occur naturally in Sri Lanka, these finds highlight long-distance trade connections, most likely with the Deccan region of India and beyond.
Microscopic studies show that the beads were perforated using diamond-tipped drills, a sophisticated technique of the time. Further morphological analysis suggests that the beads were unused when the ship sank, indicating they were probably part of a cargo intended for exchange rather than personal ornament.
Together, these beads illustrate both the sophistication of ancient bead-making technology and Sri Lanka’s pivotal role in the wider Indian Ocean exchange network.
