Thanks for the info.  I am curious about the use of Natica for beads.  I am
unaware of this genera being used by Native Americans in the northeast.  Is
it possible that these could be of African or Caribbean origin?  Does anyone
know of Natica shells used by the indigenous cultures of these areas? Again,
thanks for any insight.

Jason R. Mancini, Staff Archaeologist
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06339-3180
tel. 860.396.6802  fax  860.396.6914
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        -----Original Message-----
        From:   Monfils, Paul [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
        Sent:   Monday, December 20, 1999 3:22 PM
        To:     [log in to unmask]
        Subject:        Re: Natica beads

        The genus Natica is in the family Naticidae, commonly known as moon
snails.
        This genus is not native to Connecticut, except for a couple of
small deep
        water species which would not be likely sources of bead material.
Two
        possibilities come to mind.  The beads you mentioned may have been
made from
        Polinices duplicatus, which is not a true Natica, but is a member of
the
        moon snail family, and is common in shallow water in Connecticut.
Or, the
        beads or shells may have come from farther down the coast, around
Florida,
        where true Natica shells are available.
        Paul M.
        >