Adder stone - Collections Online | Museum Wales
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Adder stone

Iron Age anular blue glass bead with white wave decoration; known as adder stone or glain nadredd and used for healing cataracts

According to folklore these 'snakestones' were thought to be dead snakes turned into stone. If found they became prized and lucky possessions. They could be used to cure ailments such as eye infections by rubbing on the affected area. Some archaeologists think these are glass beads from the Iron Age.

Adder stone
Image: By permission of Amgueddfa Cymru — Museum Wales
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Collection Area

Social & Cultural History

Item Number

F89.3

Measurements

diameter (cm): 2.3
diameter (cm): 1.3
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