Strand of Cool Fossilized Crinoid Beads from Mali Swarovski crystal Venetian made and traded in

Venetian made and traded in Africa

two with Sanskrit writing on them

this is an impressive strand of 34 small (14mm x 15mm) to large (22mm diameter) Teal Majapahit beads

Approximately 2000 years old and traded along the Sahara trade route

but cast in metal

Strand of Cool Fossilized Crinoid Beads from Mali Swarovski crystal Venetian made and traded in32" strand of fossilized crinoid beads from Mali. Crinoids are a kind of ancient form of sea life; worms with a stalk and feathery feeders at their top. Weird. There are crinoids in the oceans today, but these beads are a fossilized species from millions of years ago. Beads vary in size, shape and bead hole (see photos), and all are cool and clunky! 50 beads total.