Laser Ablation–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) Analysis of Refired Glass Pendants from the North American Upper Great Lakes

Abstract

Indigenous people of the Upper Great Lakes region of North America crushed and refired glass trade beads to produce new adornment forms during the late 17th and 18th centuries. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to assess the chemical composition of refired glass pendants and refired fragments from four archaeological sites, as well as glass beads from these and other sites in the region. The data reflect both glass recipes used in Old World glass manufacturing processes and an individual Native American person’s raw material choices for refired glass pendant production. Glass of similar chemical composition recovered from different places may demonstrate trading relationships among archaeological sites. Similarities between beads and pendants from the same archaeological site may indicate that people were producing pendants on-site using available beads as raw material, rather than receiving beads and pendants from separate trade sources.

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