The article delves into the significant discovery of a mustard-gold-coloured talc bead in Lumbu, Angola, which suggests local production within the historical Kongo kingdom. This finding is particularly noteworthy as it sheds light on the craft specialisation for personal adornment that has been prevalent in central and southern Africa since prehistoric times. The talc bead’s unique characteristics, such as heavy rare earth element (REE) enrichment, negative Ce-anomalies, and positive La-anomalies, indicate specific geological origins and provide insights into the geological context of its formation.
Furthermore, the study reveals that talc beads derived from ultramafic rocks exhibit enrichment in Cr and Ni, while those from carbonate rocks show lower Cr and Ni values, highlighting the diversity in talc sources and their mineral compositions.
The research methodology employed a multi-analytical approach to unravel the talc bead’s origin and production techniques, offering valuable information on the intra-kingdom trade network or potential royal offerings associated with such artefacts.
By exploring the talc bead’s geological and geochemical characteristics, including hydrothermal Mg-phyllosilicates with an inverted “U” shaped REE pattern and high-Eu anomalies, the study contributes significantly to understanding the cultural and economic significance of personal adornments within the Kongo kingdom.
This discovery not only enriches our knowledge of ancient African civilizations but also underscores the importance of archaeological research in uncovering historical trade networks, craft traditions, and material culture practices that have shaped the region’s history.
