Bead

This rectangular bead with parallel grooves is made from rock crystal. Pierced with a central hole, it could be strung into a necklace or bracelet. It was found in a house at the 9th-century Abbasid site of Murwab in northwest Qatar.

At this time rock crystal (a pure, clear form of quartz) was sourced primarily from East Africa, in particular Madagascar. It was then processed at coastal sites in Tanzania and Kenya. Some of the most finely carved examples using the best rock crystal were produced in Egypt during the Fatimid period. This particular find bares testament to Qatar’s links with international trading networks during the 9th century.