Hohokam Glycymeris shell bead-pendant, Sonoran Desert, Arizona

This bittersweet clam shell (Glycymeris sp) was carried from the Gulf of California to the Sonoran Desert (a distance of about a hundred and fifty miles) about eight hundred years ago.
The artifact was originally a bead-pendant that was broken. The flattening of the shell's exterior suggests that it was being refashioned into a ring-bead, perhaps for a necklace or earrings. There is also a small indentation within the shell's interior from a perforation attempt.
The artifact was carefully photographed and it remains where it was found. Thank you to all of the researchers who assisted in the interpretation of this item.

-

These photographs are provided for conservation purposes, education, and historical insight. I strongly discourage inexperienced individuals from visiting sacred places. These are not provided as a guide and no locations will be provided in any circumstance. Remember, these are fragile, deeply important, and irreplaceable spiritual and scientific resources.

american southwestunited statesconservationarizona

From Arizona