Beads for the nomads of late antiquity: Chemical characterization of glass from the Blemmyan tumuli at Kalabsha, Nubia, of the mid?fourth century CE

The mobility of the Blemmyes between Nile Valley and Red Sea coast, their skill in trading, are well attested literary sources archaeological record. While they operated mainly Eastern Desert, cemeteries, dated to mid-fourth century ce, were located strategic region Dodekaschoinos Lower Nubia. personal adornments composed beads, but glass imports have not yet been scientifically studied. This paper presents results an analysis 34 beads from Blemmyan cemeteries around Kalabsha. Compositional analyses using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry has identified belonging four groups. Numerous made low alumina soda-lime (m-Na-Ca, m/v-Na-Ca), associated with Egyptian production. Five high-alumina glass. three them produced South India/Sri Lanka, mixed or recycled was probable source high another two beads. One bead plant ash-soda Results provide scientific evidence for northernmost presence Indian/Sri Lankan hint at participation broader regional exchange networks North-east Africa during a time intensive overseas trade.