Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-198) and index.

Bones, teeth, claws and shells. Ostrich eggshell beads ; Heishi : how they are made ; Shells ; Bone ; Teeth and claws ; Ivory -- Amber, clay and beads made from plant materials. Amber ; Clay ; Wood, seeds, nuts and other plant materials -- Stone beads. The first stone beads ; Gran ite and gneiss ; Bauxite (Abo) ; Jasper (Lantana) ; Amazonite ; Serpent ine ; Quartz ; Pietersite -- Metal beads. History of metalworking ; Afr ican blacksmiths ; Iron ; Gold ; Silver ; Brass ; Copper ; Aluminum -- Glass beads. History of glass beads ; Drawn and lapidary beads ; Powder glass beads ; Wound beads ; Ceramic beads -- History of trade in Afric a from antiquity to the present day. A 20th century African bead trader 's story ; Antiquity ; The Trans-Saharan trade ; The West-Atlantic trade ; The pilgrim routes ; 19th century ; African bead traders ; 21st century bead business.