BEADS: Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers Volume 6 Volume 6 (1994) Article 7 1-1-1994 Toward a Social History of Beadmakers Peter Francis Jr. Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/beads Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons, History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, Science and Technology Studies Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Repository Citation Francis, Peter Jr. (1994). "Toward a Social History of Beadmakers." BEADS: Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers 6: 61-80. Available at: https://surface.syr.edu/beads/vol6/iss1/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in BEADS: Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers by an authorized editor of SURFACE. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. TOW ARD A SOCIAL HISTORY OF BEAD MAKERS Peter Francis, Jr. An understanding of beads requires an understanding of the w.ith the promise of special privileges or people involved with them. This paper examines three his pecuniary gain. torical aspects ofpeople engaged in beadmaking, especially Whether the movement is because of a "push" the production of glass beads. The history of their social or a "pull," it is easy for glass beadmakers to do. relations is considered in regards to the record of their They are not peasants tied to the land. Their chief physical movements, the manner in which they organize themselves and pass on their traditions, and their status raw materials are widespread, and special within society. Information concerning each of these is ar materials-such as colorants-have long been ranged geographically and chronologically in an attempt to articles of commerce.