The age of these small well-made beads has been discussed multiple times. I have, until quite recently, never seen ANY indication nor supposition on their time nor place of manufacture (!).

I have read opinions that they are "very old," and that "they are new." Nothing to support either conclusion.

And I don't know of any way of providing this information, nor for how they would have been used.

What is the source material that suggests a "13th C." origin? Is it a recent popular book--as opposed to a dependable archaeological reference?

JDA.