There is nothing superfluous in the history of jewelry. Comparing different periods, you will be surprised at how closely they are all connected. Shall we take a look at history together?
Where does the history of jewelry begin? When did the first earrings and rings appear? Did you know that some ancient examples are over 110,000 years old?
Archaeological excavations in South Africa and Israel have confirmed that jewelry appeared in the early stages of human development. Of course, they were still very primitive. For example, among some peoples, the first jewelry consisted of shells with holes pierced through them.
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For the most part, they were identifying marks for the tribe, as well as the first amulets against various spirits. But even then, ancient people understood well that each such item had a certain symbolism. Each subsequent era left its mark on the appearance of the items. From clumsy amulets, they turned into unique creations, where every detail was already designed with filigree precision.
Comparing different periods, you will be surprised at how interconnected they all are. Without the jewelry discoveries of our predecessors, there would be none of what we see today on jewelry counters. Let’s take a look at the exciting world of the past together.
The First Evidence of Ancient Jewelry
No one can name the exact date. According to some sources, the first shell beads and bracelets are about 100-135 thousand years old. They were discovered by archaeologists in Asia Minor along with the remains of a Paleolithic woman.
Ancient jewelry was made from all available materials: shells, stones, flowers, bones, and animal tendons. These were rather primitive bracelets/beads, fasteners for fabrics/skins.
Such items were worn not so much for aesthetic purposes as for practical reasons: they were used as amulets and identifying marks. It is noteworthy that in ancient times, jewelry was worn mainly by men. In ancient communities, they indicated who was the leader, the chief.
The first items resembling the jewelry we are familiar with appeared approximately 5,000-6,000 years ago. They were a nonverbal means of communication. The type of item determined which people a person belonged to and their position in society.
Prehistoric Jewelry
Before learning how to craft items, primitive people adorned themselves with whatever materials were available. Animal bones, horns, and fangs were particularly significant. Our ancestors believed that they brought good luck during the hunt.
According to some sources, Neanderthals (the first inhabitants of the Middle East and Southern Europe) made jewelry from shells before the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe.
The most common types of items were bracelets, beads, and pendants — small figurines with a hole in them. Many of them had sacred significance. Sometimes they were painted with vegetable dyes.
What Materials were used for Ancient Jewelry?
It is difficult to name a material that ancient people did not use to make jewelry. Everything was used: stones, bones, teeth, and shells. Such jewelry was worn on different parts of the body.
The jewelry of primitive people was used as a status symbol within the tribe. It was used to determine who was one of their own or a stranger, a chief or an ordinary hunter. With the spread of pagan beliefs, jewelry was given the role of protecting against evil forces.
However, aesthetic value was only attributed to such items later on. The Egyptians were the first to appreciate jewelry as objects of jewelry art.
