Biloxi bead?

[Dmaver]

Hey all, new to this site and relatively new to collecting artifacts as they relate to Native Americans.

I just found this item among MANY broken pottery sherds in Biloxi, MS. I believe it is a shell bead. I read that this area is known for NA points, pottery and trade items from the first settlers. (French)
Anyway, I’d love input and can get better photos if necessary. As I said, it was with a ton of pottery, potentially midden washout?

 

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[Relicgrubber]

I believe that is not a man made bead. Looks like a fossil of some type. Possibly a water worn Crinoid section.

 

[Tdog]

I agree with Relicgrubber, a crinoid column segment fossil.

 

[Dmaver]

Thank you!

 

[Older The Better]

I’ve wondered if it can’t be both, if beads were important, then why not make use of one’s made by Mother Nature?… as far as deciphering wether a crinoid section was used by a na that may be nearly impossible, but I’ll be an optimist and say given the context I could be man-used

 

[Dmaver]

I’ve wondered if it can’t be both, if beads were important, then why not make use of one’s made by Mother Nature?… as far as deciphering wether a crinoid section was used by a na that may be nearly impossible, but I’ll be an optimist and say given the context I could be man-used

Thank you for your opinion and optimistic outlook. I spoke with a local guy walking the beach, looking for points, and he told me that a large NA camp/site was just across the street and extended to the coast line. He said he walks it all the time and finds artifacts that have washed up or been unearthed by a storm.
I can’t be 100% sure, but I’ll be an optimist too! 😂