These turquoise beads were shaped individually, using no metal tools. They were hand cut, probably using pieces of sharp flint or obsidian. Then each stone was drilled. While it is not known exactly how the earliest Indian people drilled their beads, later Pueblo People developed a bow drill (also called a pump drill). The bow drill had a metal tip which was probably made out of an old file. The bow drill was used to drill turquoise, coral and shell beads in order to string them on necklaces. Then the beads were hand rolled and polished. A strand of beads might take three months to finish. One turquoise nugget could take three hours just to perforate.

This circular shaped bead with a hole drilled through its center is a metaphor of sorts for a kiva, the pueblo underground ceremonial chamber and for the sipapu, the hole in the kiva floor through which contact is made with the spiritual beings who inhabit the underworlds. Frequently, small pieces of turquoise are placed in the sipapu beneath its cover.

bead and kiva