How did Indians make beads?
Beads were some of the first pieces of jewelry that Native American Indians made. All Paleolithic and historic Native American Indian groups made beads of some type.MaterialsNative American Indians used the natural materials in their environment. Common materials for beads were bone, stones, precious metal nuggets, animal teeth, porcupine quill, seeds and shells.PreparationThe bead material was first broken into small pieces and roughly shaped. Some beads, like animal teeth, were left in their natural shape. Hard seeds were often softened in water for a time.DrillingA hole was drilled into the pieces with a hand drill. In pre-European contact days these drills had a sharp stone point.Finishing and PolishingThe beads were then strung on a string and rolled on sandstone or another semi-rough stone to polish and further shape them.StringingEarly Native American beads were usually strung on animal sinew. Sometimes tough plant fibers were used.
