Post by L Roebuck on Jun 22, 2006 17:44:17 GMT -5
Study reveals 'oldest jewellery'
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News
The earliest known pieces of jewellery made by modern humans have been identified by scientists.
The three shell beads are between 90,000 and 100,000 years old, according to an international research team.
Two of the ancient beads come from Skhul Cave on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Israel. The other comes from the site of Oued Djebbana in Algeria.
The finds, which pre-date other ancient examples by 25,000 years, are described in the US journal Science.
The pea-sized items all have similar holes which would have allowed them to be strung together into a necklace or bracelet, the researchers believe.
All three shells come from the same genus of marine mollusc known as Nassarius; they were probably selected for their size and deliberately perforated with a sharp flint tool.
They represent a remarkable early expression of modern behaviour in the archaeological record, experts say.
"The interesting thing about necklaces and this kind of behaviour is that it is symbolic. When we wear items like this, we are sending a message," said co-author Professor Chris Stringer of London's Natural History Museum.
"The message may be that we are powerful, or wealthy, or sexy, that we're part of a particular group, or to ward off evil. They're not just decorative, we think they had a social meaning."
Full Article:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5099104.stm
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News
The earliest known pieces of jewellery made by modern humans have been identified by scientists.
The three shell beads are between 90,000 and 100,000 years old, according to an international research team.
Two of the ancient beads come from Skhul Cave on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Israel. The other comes from the site of Oued Djebbana in Algeria.
The finds, which pre-date other ancient examples by 25,000 years, are described in the US journal Science.
The pea-sized items all have similar holes which would have allowed them to be strung together into a necklace or bracelet, the researchers believe.
All three shells come from the same genus of marine mollusc known as Nassarius; they were probably selected for their size and deliberately perforated with a sharp flint tool.
They represent a remarkable early expression of modern behaviour in the archaeological record, experts say.
"The interesting thing about necklaces and this kind of behaviour is that it is symbolic. When we wear items like this, we are sending a message," said co-author Professor Chris Stringer of London's Natural History Museum.
"The message may be that we are powerful, or wealthy, or sexy, that we're part of a particular group, or to ward off evil. They're not just decorative, we think they had a social meaning."
Full Article:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5099104.stm