The mystery solved

In 2011, when we were digging out the foundations for the extension which is now our sitting room, I found this glass bead.  I am very fond of it and have had it on a silver chain so I can wear it round my neck.  


Last year a similar bead was found at the archaeological dig at The Cairns, a few miles south of here, so I got in touch with the Martin Carruthers, head archaeologist there, who told me   - 

The Cairns one is probably Roman in origin. Yours is not two fused beads. Instead, it appears to be what's called a segmented bead. These have a long period of currency from the Iron Age to the Viking period. Therefore, if it is what I think it is, your bead is important. It'd be good to have a look at it at some point.


It's taken over a year, but we met up with him recently and he had a good look at it.  It turns out it is from the Viking era, and originally came from Palestine via Byzantium!  There are lots of tiny gas bubbles in the glass and both ends are concave, so it was formed as a bead, rather than being pierced though from one end to the other.  Martin advised that I take it off the chain to stop it being damaged any further, so I asked a friendly jeweller to put it on a leather cord for me.  It's not valuable, but it is a significant find, so I shall continue to wear it and treasure it!