Archaeologists working in the Bizmoune Cave in southwest Morocco published a surprising finding in Science Advances last week: they had discovered what is believed to be the oldest jewelry in the world. The team found 33 shell beads that they dated to between 142,000 and 150,000 years old. At first glance, it was unclear if the beads found were in fact jewelry, as they were made from shells. Some of the beads also had traces of ochre on them, a pigment commonly used by ancient humans in self decoration. The researchers involved in the dig feel fairly certain that the beads were used as a form of communication, not just self adornment.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 22, 2021 22:29 UTC