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Oldest Known Shell Beads

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These are the world's oldest known shell beads.

Exhibit Item

Discovered by: A team led by Dorothy Garrod and Dorothea Bate

Age: About 135,000 to 100,000 years old

Site: Skhūl, Israel

Skhul Shell Beads, Skhul, Israel

Skhul Shell Beads, Skhul, Israel

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Page Last Updated: June 29, 2022

Human Evolution Research
Human Evolution Evidence
Human Characteristics
Education
Exhibit
About Us
Multimedia
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Support Our Work