Ancient Child's Grave Yields Spectacular 9000-Year-Old Necklace

Archaeologists have reconstructed a spectacular 9,000-year-old necklace found in the grave of an 8-year-old girl in Jordan. The necklace, made of thousands of beads, provides insights into the culture and burial practices of the Neolithic village of Ba`ja. The carefully arranged beads, including calcite, turquoise, and hematite, were found spilled across the child's chest and neck. The necklace also features a mother-of-pearl ring and a double-perforated pendant. The ornament's complexity and beauty suggest great wealth and prosperity, and its unique design sets it apart from other artifacts found in the Levant region. The necklace is now on display at the New Museum of Petra in Jordan.