The Exploitation of Shells as Beads in the palaeolithic and neolithic of the
LEVANT
D.E. BAR-YOSEF MAYER
cymeris and Cerastoderma.
: Shells, Beads, Southern Levant. Mots Clefs : Coquillages, Parures, Levant Sud.
Shells are among the oldest means of decoration used by does not require special skills for collecting, and of a size that humans1. This is not surprising, as it is a raw material that is often suitable for use as decoration on the human body.
Most shells are made of Calcium Carbonate in the form of Aragonite and are relatively soft, with a hardness of 3-4 on the
1. HENSHILWOOD et ai, 2004.
b J
Paléorient, vol. 31/1, p. 176-185 6 CNRS ÉDITIONS 2005
