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African-Inspired Accessories: 10 Skills in 90 Seconds · Episode 2 of 10
Episode 2 / 10

Bead Materials and What They Signal

Which bead material became a status marker because trade routes made its color consistency rare and its supply limited?
Glass seed beads — introduced through Indian Ocean and trans-Saharan trade routes, they signaled access to wealth and power because of their scarcity and consistent color.
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