Archeology: Exploring ancient European culture through personal ornaments The nature of human behavior

Analysis of the jewelry worn by individuals during the Gravet Culture period (34,000 to 24,000 years ago) reveals the existence of nine distinct cultural groups in Europe, three of which have limited genetic data, and one paper suggests that this group was never acquired in the first place.The nature of human behaviorPublished in These findings reveal a more detailed geographical distribution of culture than previously thought.

Beads are often used as personal adornment and as a sign of cultural identity. The archaeological record shows that beads made from a variety of materials (ivory, bone, antler, black jade, amber, etc.) increased in diversity in Eurasia about 45,000 years ago. However, debate still persists as to whether this diversity represents the presence of different cultural groups or is simply a result of geographical separation.

Here, Jack Becker and colleagues present data on 134 types of personal adornments dating between 34,000 and 24,000 years ago from 112 archaeological sites in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Mediterranean region. The ornaments were made from raw materials such as shells, teeth (including bear, horse, and rabbit teeth) and amber. Becker et al found consistent differences in personal adornment across Europe, identifying nine distinct groups. Baker and others suggest that these groups are nine distinct populations separated by culturally derived boundaries. Baker and his colleagues also modeled how spatial and cultural boundaries affect bead diversity. They found that although physical distance is important, it is probably not the only factor governing bead selection. Becker and his colleagues believe that permeable cultural boundaries and the different practices of people from different social locations may also have played a role. Moreover, it has become clear that most of these groups are consistent with findings from modern paleogenomics. Becker and his colleagues found one culture from Eastern Europe for which there was no genetic data, and two cultures from the Iberian Peninsula for which only one person had genetic data.

Becker and his colleagues assert that their results demonstrate that integrating cultural and biological studies can help us understand early humans in Europe.

doi:10.1038/s41562-023-01803-6

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