It seems only common sense to veer away from romantic and arbitrary naming of bead types towards a more scientific approach - the evidence never lies, as Gil Grissom reminds us in CSI.

Apart from careful 'forensic' excavation of beads from ancient burials, what scientific tests are available to assist in the identification of manufacturing processes and composition?

The identification of genetic markers in the human genome sequence has revolutionised human studies. Are there any identifying markers in old beads that can tell us as much about age and composition?