Piece of a glass bead

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This piece of a glass bead was found at the native hillfort site of Traprain Law in East Lothian. It is an expensive item of Roman manufacture which was acquired by trade or gift sometime between 80 and 200 AD.

The bead is of a type called a melon bead, due to its obvious resemblance to the fruit. It is nearly complete.

Melon beads are a long-lived form. They appear to have been introduced by the Romans into Britain, where they were copied in glass and other materials. Thereafter their popularity declined in Britain, but they were reintroduced later by Germanic invaders.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-547-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GV 998
• Date: 80 - 200 AD
  Between 80 and 200 AD
  
• Material: Glass, blue, clear; melon-shaped, large
  Bead / fragment
  
• Dimensions: 1.06" D x 0.69" thick
  
• What: Bead / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Large fragment of a melon bead of clear blue glass, from Traprain Law, 80 - 200 AD
  
• References:
  • Guido, Margaret. The glass beads of the Prehistoric and Roman periods in Britain and Ireland. London: Society of Antiquaries of London, 1978, pp 100, 230. 
• Translations:
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