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Ste. Marie II Trade Beads

One long dark blue tube bead with three circular light blue beads. Five reddish circular beads with black interiors.

Museum of Ontario Archaeology BeHb-1:890974 and BeHb-1:910580

Date: Mid 17th Century

These trade beads, made of glass share a story of some of the earliest interactions between European settlers and First Nations peoples.

Trade beads can be made from different materials and different colours. It is through these materials and colour that archaeologists can learn who commissioned them.