1.Punic Glass Eye Beads in the Balearic Islands Molly Kaplan 2012

2. BNM-07 Bead Sample #1 (fragment) 2011Found in superficial layer outside the cave (SU1)early 2011 seasonShows discoloration from burning Eye designChemical analysis study of this bead conducted byan American team, who also examined a ribcovered in glass found during the same season 3. BNM-07 Bead Sample #2 (incomplete bead) 2012We found two large fragments in SU1 on separate days lastweek. Pieces were glued together in labDiscoloration shows bead was affected by cremation fireIn addition, quick lime deposition could also account for thewhite powdery appearance/texture Eyes(Core center visible, too) 4. Basic History of Glass BeadsOldest glass beads to date from 12,000BCCraft of glass beads originates in Egypt1560-1460BCMercantile activity of Mycenaeans leads to spreadof glass beads and rise of bead commercialization(late Bronze Age, starting around 1400) 5. Beginning around 800BC Carthagebecomes famous international distributor of glass beads(Phoenician trade routes) 6. Phoenician merchants distribute beads across Mediterranean until 200BCGlass beads great for currency/trade because highly valued but easy totransport as cargoGeneralized, mass produced forms of eyebeads appear in Late Bronze AgeNecklace reconstructed from glass beads of Puig des Molins 7. Pre-roman glass beaddistribution in Spain 8. In Spain, more than 4,000 pre-roman glass beads have been foundthroughout 118 sites (as of 1996more now) Most have been found in burial contexts/cave necropoli 9 main sites in Ibiza, including Puig des Molins Menorca has 5 major sites (Cales Coves)and now our Binimel-la 9. Eye Bead Typology 10. Simple eye: oldest design. Eye design is partof the glass paste matrix itself Mosaic eye: most modern. Popular in Romanperiod) Stratefied eye: (what we have found)Phoenician; eyes dropped onto matrix while itsStratefied eye beads from Ibiza sites still soft. Concentric circles/layers of rings 11. Our beadsStratefied, spherical with largedark eyes and two rings (5 drops?)All eye beads in Ibiza record arestratefied. Spherical beads 2nd mostcommon shape after rings In Puig des Molins, eye beads found in hypogia date to the 2nd half of 6c. BC. Because it is thought that Punics came to Ibiza first, BNM-07s beads probably date to sometime around then or soon after (6th-5th c.) (again, damage to the beads makes typologyProbably only a few large eyes. incredibly difficult)Maybe one or two on each side(3-8total?) 12. Chemical Analysis:Composition of glass bead #1 (2011): Si 42% *Important to note that both rib and bead foundout of context. Cannot be certain about resultsSb 25%Pb 10%Fe 10% Al 8%Cu 1%(4% mix of other elements)Bead shows higher % of Iron than the other artifacts analyzed(which all had about 1%)High iron content could indicate bead was reddish and/or blackBeads from Cales Coves very similar in make-up; showhomogeneity and could be related in terms of where/how theywere made.The high levels of Phosphorous in the glass covering the rib alsofound in glass beads from IbizaWas the individual wearing a Punic glass bead when cremated? Itseems likely, though Phosphorous not found in bead fragment fromthe cave 13. Glass Beads in Burial Context and theEye 14. One bead alone considered a jewel (suspensionrings with single beads found in addition to fullnecklaces and bracelets at Puig des Molins)In Ibiza beads/necklaces have been found withinfants and children Necklaces also include coral, bells, and other stonesNo marked symbolic division between adults andchildren in terms of beads/grave goodsBeads in tombs interpreted as a sign of prestige Importance of inheritance and aristocracyTerracotas adorned with beads correspond toimages of Punic gods 15. Eye beads thought to have apotropaic value: magic intended to turnaway harm and evil (often by directing those forces back at the onecausing harm)Ideology of the beads different for different cultures, but in general theeye is a symbol of protection against evil forces/magicEye symbol frequently painted in tombsThought that necklaces worn by children in life and death couldserve as a protection for when moms eyes are not on them. Turkish evil eye is a common symbol still used today that is highlycommercialized. The classic blue and white eye actually serves to fightback against the evil eyeSPACE DJ Kurd Maverick: Turkish 16. So what does this mean for the cave and the Talaiotics? Finding more than one of these beads at the cave is strong evidence for contact between Phonecians and the Talaiotics (especially from the 6th-2nd c. BC) Knowing what we know about what (eye) beads mean to others, it will be important to look for patterns of bead distribution as we get to context layers. Big question: how are the beads a part of the Talaiotic cremation/burial ritual? Are they found with male, female, and/or children remains? A sign of status or wealth? Currency? (other tiny beads have also been found) Do the beads say something about individual identitywere the Talaiotics buried with the beads as part of their personal expression? 17. SourcesEisen, G.1916 The characteristics of eye beads from the earliest times to thepresent. American Journal of Archaeology Vol 20, No. 1: 1-27.Ruiz, E. R.1996 Las cuentas de vidrio prerromanas del museo arqueolgicode Ibiza y Formentera. Museu Arqueolgico DEvissa I Formentera.