Teardrops at the Lake: Chemistry of New Kingdom to Makuria Glass Beads and Pendants Between the First and Second Nile Cataracts

Abstract International expeditions extensively excavated Lower Nubia (between the First and Second Nile Cataracts) before it was submerged under waters of Lake Nasser Nubia. The concentrated on monumental architecture cemeteries, including sites at Qustul Serra East, where New Kingdom, Napatan, Meroitic, Nobadian, Makurian-period elites common people were buried, ca. 1400 BC–AD 1400. Although finds abound in adornments, bead imports from Egypt South India/Sri Lanka, only a few traces local glass bead-making have been recorded so far. Based results laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis 76 beads, pendants, chunks East contexts, dated between Kingdom Makuria periods, this paper discusses composition provenance two types plant-ash soda-lime (v-Na-Ca) glass, mineral (m-Na-Ca), mineral-soda-high alumina (m-Na-Al) glass. It also presents remains probable workshop to period intensive long-distance trade Northeast Africa, AD 400–600.