Carnelian Ring- Montpelier Plantation, VA (Video)

---

Institution: James Madison's Montpelier

State: Virginia

Object: Ring

Era: 19th Century

---

Archaeologists recovered a ring from a slave's quarters at President James Madison’s estate, Montpelier. The ring is made of carnelian stone, identifiable by its orange/red color and white inclusions.

Carnelian products have been a top export of South East Asia for hundreds of years. Stones in bead form were highly valuable products throughout the Middle East and on both African coasts. The network reached its peak between 1300 and 1800 along with the slave trade.

In Africa, carnelian objects symbolized status and wealth. It is assumed that this ring originated in Africa and worn by a captured person of high ranking status. Over the years, the ring may have been passed down and used as protective charm for health and wellbeing.

Shop American Artifacts

Buy on Amazon

---

More African-American Archaeology

---

Sources:

• Ogundiran, Akinwumi. "Of small things remembered: beads, cowries, and cultural translations of the Atlantic experience in Yorubaland." The International Journal of African Historical Studies 35.2/3 (2002): 427-457.

• Handler, Jerome S. "From Cambay in India to Barbados in the Caribbean: Two Unique Beads from a Plantation Slave Cemetery." African Diaspora Archaeology Newsletter 10.1 (2007): 1.

• Handler, Jerome S. "An African-type healer/diviner and his grave goods: a burial from a plantation slave cemetery in Barbados, West Indies." International Journal of Historical Archaeology 1.2 (1997): 91-130.

---