Bizmoune Cave
مغارة بيزمون
Morocco · Marrakesh-Safi, Essaouira Province
In brief
The first trial excavations took place in 2007–2008, and investigations were expanded in 2014. Most of the cave's shell beads come from a layer dating back at least approximately 142 thousand years.
What was found?
- 133 seashell beads
The perforated sea snail shells bear wear marks caused by suspension. According to the study, a substantial proportion of the beads date to at least 142 thousand years ago.
- 2Tanged Aterian tools
The stone tool assemblage includes examples with a distinct tang. They show the connection between the layer containing the beads and Aterian technology.
- 3Levallois products
Stone products obtained from prepared cores form a substantial part of the tool assemblage. They document the planned working of stone.
- 4Red pigments
Small pieces of red pigment and pigment residues on some tools, pebbles and shells were identified. They show that coloring substances were used in the cave.
- 5Burned bones and charcoal
Burned bones and charcoal fragments in the layers are material traces of fire use. Researchers used them to assess human activities in the cave.
What does it point to?
According to researchers, the beads suggest that people expressed their identities through their appearance; their precise meaning is unknown. The tools, pigments and traces of burning show that ornaments were found alongside evidence of other activities in the cave.
What did it teach us?
- They provided evidence extending the use of personal ornaments back to at least 142 thousand years ago.
- Wear around the holes supported the use of the shells as suspended objects.
- According to researchers, the prolonged selection of similar shells in North Africa indicates cultural continuity.
Latest news / selected archive
Research published in 2021 placed the cave's shell beads among the oldest known personal ornaments.
Record
- Culture
- Aterian; early Homo sapiens
- First modern dig
- 2007
- Team / historical
- INSAP, University of Arizona, and Aix-Marseille University; Abdeljalil Bouzouggar, Steven Kuhn, and Philippe Fernandez
- Coordinates
- 31.6767°, -9.5692°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Jebel Irhoud 69 km
- Contrebandiers Cave 349 km
- Banasa 457 km
- Volubilis 460 km
- Lixus 506 km
- Baelo Claudia 603 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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