Dr Katie Strang
In medieval times, the fragments of fossilised crinoids (known locally as Cuddy’s beads) were collected from the shores of Lindisfarne and then strung together to make necklaces and rosaries 🖤 #StCuthbertsDay
Mar 20, 2023 at 9:23pmWeb
Show threadllewellyMar 20, 2023
@palaeokatie
@Akki , this seems like something you would appreciate.
Show threadHeatherMar 20, 2023
@llewelly I still have my cute star stone somewhere (tiny bit of crinoid stem)
Show threadBrìghdeMar 20, 2023
@palaeokatie They are beautiful
Show threadMichael PorterMar 20, 2023
@palaeokatie Small, durable, and pre-perforated 😊
Show threadthepoisontartMar 20, 2023
@palaeokatie were they also used as spindle whorls?
Show threadElisabeth Anderson Mar 21, 2023
@thepoisontart @palaeokatie They're generally very small, often only a few mm across.
Show threadElisabeth Anderson Mar 21, 2023

@palaeokatie I spent a lot of time on Holy Island as a child and spent hours looking for Cuddy's beads on the beach near Cuthbert's Island. Still do when I go back.

I found these one recent time I was there.