An Investigation of OES Bead Size Variability and the Introduction of Cup Morphology

Ostrich Eggshell (OES) beads have been studied with regards to Later Stone Age (LSA) South African communities and their existence extends all the way to present day populations. However, the greatest focus has been placed on external bead diameters from the past 3 000 years, encompassing the arrival of herders ~2 000 years ago, particularly as part of the argument that there is a "boundary" bead size from which it could be determined if the communities present at a site were hunter-gatherer populations or herder populations. This takes away from the variability of OES beads which is evident in their multiple uses. 

This research aims to investigate the variability in OES bead sizes from the past 13 000 years in the Western Cape Province of South Africa to determine if there is in fact a clear "boundary" bead size. Additionally, past research focused on external OES bead attributes, this research proposes further analysis of an attribute termed the "cup" and the morphological features of this element which could reveal new information on OES bead making technologies.