Essaide Typologie des Perles des Sites Archeologiques du Nord de Madagascar

Abstract

Beads are important artefacts retrieved from archaeological investigations carried out in Madagascar since the beginning of the 20^th century. Excavations in Northern Madagascar (especially on the western coast and part of the eastern coast) have provided thousands of beads (see for example Gaudebout & Vernier 1941; Verin 1975 and Radimilahy 1998) Four archaeological sites have been chosen (Mahilaka, Vohemar, Antsoheribory and Andoka) where 33,000 beads have been studied.

The present work is an attempt to establish a typology in time and in space, from the standardization of characteristics of beads materials shape size and colour. Comparative study of the four collections showed that beads such as pottery represent historical and archaeological time reference, thus a relative dating method.