Ice Age Europe: Unique Cultural Groups and Their Decorative Jewelry

2024-02-02 12:59:21

The latest research reveals that there were at least nine unique cultural groups of hunter-gatherers in Europe during the Ice Age about 34,000 to 24,000 years ago, and each group had its own unique decorative style. The findings stem from a comparative study of thousands of pendants and beads from across Ice Age Europe that have been attributed to the Gravetian culture.

The study, led by Jack Baker, a doctoral student in archeology at the University of Bordeaux in France, analyzed jewelry found at 112 sites from Portugal to Russia and found 134 different types of beads made from animal bones, teeth, shells, amber and stone. Some are like fish tails, some are like owls.

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Research also reveals that the boundaries between these cultural groups are sometimes fluid, with neighboring groups occasionally exchanging styles. Furthermore, when the patterns of these artifacts were overlaid with genetic evidence, a more complex story emerged. Researchers have discovered two distinct cultural groups in modern Italy, whereas DNA evidence originally only hinted at the existence of one group. On the other hand, in areas of modern France and Belgium, individuals of different genetic backgrounds decorated their jewelry similarly.

Different genetic groups have similar decorative jewelry

Nine cultural groups identified based on ornaments found at residence sites (shaded points) and burial sites (shaded squares). (Photo/Nature Human Behavior) Advertisement (Please continue reading this article)

The study is considered important because it shows how analyzing ancient artifacts and DNA can reveal a rich tapestry of cultural behavior and group relationships that cannot be discovered by studying DNA or the artifacts themselves. The findings also highlight that even during the harsh Ice Ages, our ancestors carved and carved beautiful pendants to identify their own tribe and distinguish themselves from others.

“The sense of belonging we all feel today is deeply rooted in our shared history and plays an important role in determining how Gravettes decorate themselves,” Baker said.

The research has been published in the journal Nature Human Behavior.

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Source of the first picture:Nature Human Behaviour

Image Source:Nature Human Behaviourcc By4.0

Reference papers:

1.Evidence from personal ornaments suggest nine distinct cultural groups between 34,000 and 24,000 years ago in EuropeNature Human Behaviour

Further reading:

1.The secret of ancient European cities: cattle are not for food, but…for fertilizer!