Set of beads

Set of 26 beads, 14 rock crystal and 12 carnelian. They are many-sided, oblong, diamond-shaped and elliptical. Beads of this type were greatly sought-after by the Scandinavians and were used, along with silver, as payment for goods and services on eastward journeys. They are of southern European or "Oriental" provenance. Grave find, Birka, Bj 507, Adelsö Parish, Uppland.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0