California's Channel Islands were ancient centers of shell bead production and exchange. Several researchers have investigated shell bead making in the region, particularly of Olivella biplicata shells, but considerably less is known about bead production sequences for other shell bead types. Recent research at two historic Chumash villages on Santa Rosa (CA-SRI-2) and San Miguel (CA-SMI-163) islands produced large assemblages of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) epidermis beads, beads-in-production, and bead blanks. Bead production densities at these sites were relatively high, but a dearth of finished beads compared to beads-in-production suggests that most of the beads were being manufactured for trade or use outside of the household in which they were produced. Red abalone epidermis bead production increased dramatically after European contact and these beads were another important trade item for Native peoples in western North America.
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