Anglo-Saxon Beads 400 - 700 AD: A Visual Guide to Types and Techniques

Excavations of cemeteries from the early Anglo-Saxon period of Britain have produced a particularly rich collection of artefacts thanks to the custom of that time of burying the dead with their personal possessions. Many of the women's graves contained glorious bead necklaces of glass, amber, gold, silver, amethyst and other treasured materials. British museums contain many thousands of these beads, often only a small part of which are on show to the general public. This book is the result of many years of research by the author into Anglo-Saxon beads and is a comprehensive guide to the types of beads, the techniques of making them, and the evidence of the beadmakers themselves and how they worked.
The book begins with an overview of the cemeteries where most beads have been found, and illustrations of the women from specific graves. It then moves into the tools and materials of the ancient beadmakers. Next is a comprehensive section illustrated with step-by-step drawings of how the beads would have been made. Then follows a catalogue of all the different types of beads of this period found in Britain with parallels in Britain and abroad, and more information on how they would have been shaped and decorated. The final sections cover how the beads were worn and how they would have deteriorated.

Anglo-Saxon Beads 400-700 AD will be enjoyed by a wide variety of readers: all those interested in ancient jewellery; archaeologists who will find it a valuable resource; enthusiasts and historians of ancient jewellery and beads; and beadmakers both amateur and professional.

Sue Heaser is an archaeologist, author, illustrator and teacher. She has published numerous international books on jewellery and other crafts in a career of over 30 years. She has taught jewellery making workshops all over the world.
She is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.