Beautiful find in Morocco: Archaeologists have discovered what they say is the oldest jewelry ever found in the world.
They are perforated shells that are up to 150,000 years old.
The shells, which were believed to have been made into necklaces and bracelets, were found in the Bizmoune Cave near the coastal town of Essaouira.
"This discovery has a huge impact on human history," said archaeologist Abdeljalil Bouzouggar.
Because everything indicates that the owners use a language.
He dated the jewelry to an age of 142,000 to 150,000 years.
Transported over great distances
"These are symbolic objects - and symbols, unlike tools, can only be passed on through language," said Bouzouggar.
So the question arises whether the discovery indicated the existence of a language which was used for communication between groups or with members of other groups.
Similar ornaments have been found throughout the Middle East and Africa.
They were transported over great distances and are between 35,000 and 135,000 years old.
Archaeologists made the discovery in September when they found tools for making clothing from bones from 120,000 years ago.
They are the oldest tools of this kind ever found.