All articles tagged with #ancient jewelry
A 3,800-year-old gold pendant depicting insects was discovered in a Minoan cemetery in Crete, sparking debate over whether it represents bees or wasps and their symbolic significance in ancient Minoan culture.
The British Museum has recovered over 350 ancient artifacts, including engraved gems and jewelry, that were stolen from its store rooms by a former curator. Some of the recovered items, dating back to ancient Rome, are now on display in the exhibition "Rediscovering Gems." While over 1,000 items are still missing, the museum is hopeful about their recovery. The exhibition aims to be transparent about the thefts and the museum's efforts to retrieve the items, shedding light on the underappreciated ancient jewelry through a display with small torches for proper viewing.
The discovery of an ornate necklace in a child's grave in ancient Jordan provides insights into the social complexity and funerary practices of Neolithic culture. The necklace, composed of over 2,500 colorful stones and shells, along with exceptional amber beads and a stone pendant, belonged to an individual of high social status. The meticulous craftsmanship and import of exotic materials suggest complex social dynamics within the community. The findings highlight the significance of body adornments in communicating cultural values and personal identities.
Archaeologists working in Stajnia Cave in Poland have discovered an ivory pendant believed to be 41,500 years old, making it one of the oldest pieces of jewelry in Eurasia. The pendant, found in a site once inhabited by Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, features a decorative pattern of 50 puncture marks. The discovery suggests the emergence of a new kind of behavior in human evolution. While the purpose of the pattern remains unknown, it could potentially represent a lunar analemma or a kill score system.