The Oldest Jewelry in the World

The Oldest Jewelry in the World – A Symbol of Style and Identity

Jewelry has accompanied humanity since the dawn of time, serving decorative, symbolic, and cultural purposes. The oldest archaeological discoveries indicate that the need to adorn the body dates back hundreds of thousands of years. Evidence of this is found in marine shells with drilled holes, which could have been worn as necklaces, bracelets, or sewn onto clothing.

Nassarius Shells – Humanity’s First Decorations

One of the oldest known pieces of jewelry comes from shells of the Nassarius genus. They have been discovered in various locations, including Israel (Skhul), Algeria (Oued Djebbana), and Morocco (Bizmoune). Particularly significant are the shells of the marine snail Tritia gibbosula from the Nassarius family, found in the Bizmoune cave near Essaouira in Morocco. Studies conducted between 2014 and 2018 date these findings to over 142,000 years ago.

The discovered beads, made from 33 shells, suggest they were worn as necklaces, bracelets, or decorative elements attached to garments. This discovery places the Bizmoune cave among the oldest jewelry finds in the world.

Slightly younger findings come from the Blombos Cave in South Africa, where Nassarius shells were dated to approximately 75,000 years ago. These ornaments show evidence of drilling and traces of pigments, indicating they were also painted. The Blombos Cave is also renowned as the site of the oldest known rock art.

"Fot. T. gibbosula and C. rustica shells from layer 4c in Bizmoune Cave"

Denisova Cave – Elegance of the Paleolithic Era

Another example of prehistoric jewelry comes from Denisova Cave in Siberia, dating back approximately 50,000 years. Artifacts such as a marble ring, a bracelet made of green chlorite, and beads crafted from ostrich eggshells demonstrate advanced craftsmanship. Some studies even suggest that these artifacts may be older, making Denisova Cave one of the most important sites for research into early adornment.

Photo credit from Article A.P. Derevianko, M.V. Shunkov and P.V. Volkov "A Paleolithic Bracelet from Denisova Cave" in  Archaeology Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia - June 2008 

Symbolism and Culture

Jewelry has always been more than just decoration. It likely served as amulets, tribal markers, or social status indicators. Prehistoric people used available materials—shells, bones, and stones—not only for practical purposes but also as an expression of creativity and a means of symbolic communication.

Questions also arise about adornments that may have existed in the Paleolithic era but have not survived to this day, such as woven cord necklaces, leather bracelets, or animal bone ornaments. Although their existence is hard to confirm, intuition and analogies with later cultures suggest such items were part of everyday life.

Rediscovering the Beauty of the Past

Thanks to archaeological discoveries, we can better understand how our ancestors perceived beauty and the significance they attributed to ornamentation. While we may never fully grasp the complete picture of their world, findings such as those from Bizmoune, Blombos, and Denisova Cave allow us to glimpse into the past and witness the beginnings of human creativity.

Today, jewelry continues to tell stories—drawing inspiration from the past and paying homage to ancient cultures is a timeless source of fascination. If you wish to wear jewelry that connects history with modern style, visit my store, [Lina Jewelry](https://linajewelry.shop). You’ll find handcrafted pieces that evoke the spirit of the past while seamlessly fitting into contemporary fashion.

Feel the magic of ancient times—discover jewelry that bridges the past and the present!

 References:
1. Bouzouggar, A., et al. (2021). Symbolic use of marine shells and the beginnings of the Middle Stone Age. *Nature Human Behaviour*.
2. Henshilwood, C. S., et al. (2004). Middle Stone Age Shell Beads from South Africa. *Science*.
3. Derevianko, A., et al. (2013). The origin of symbolic behavior and art: Findings from Denisova Cave. *Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia*.
4. Hoffmann, D. L., et al. (2018). Symbolic use of marine shells in Denisova Cave. *Quaternary International*.
5. Dubreuil, B. (2010). Paleolithic Personal Adornment. *Journal of World Prehistory*.