Glass Rosary Beads: Archaeological Research in the Dubrovnik Area

A great variety of glass rosaries and individual beads were found among grave goods in the excavations of the monasteries and churches in the historic center of Dubrovnik, Ston, and the island of Mljet (Croatia). The beads have different colors and forms and were threaded on a metal chain or a string. Several rosaries held a cross or a medal, which allows close dating of the finds to the seventeenth century. Beads made of other materials were recorded as well. Along with rosary beads, several beads that may have been part of jewelry or other items were found in excavations. The beads mainly originated from Venice or other parts of Italy, although other European workshops that operated in Venetian style cannot be excluded. This reveals Dubrovnik’s pilgrimage and trade connections with the most significant rosary and bead production centers of that time.