Archaeologists have uncovered shells used for finery by prehistoric communities 85,000 years ago in a cave in eastern Morocco, the country's heritage institute said Tuesday.
A research team, led by archaeology and heritage institute (INSAP) member Abdel-Jalil Bouzouggar and Oxford University's Nick Barton, found the 20 perforated shells in a cave near Taforalt between March and April this year.
According to a statement from the Moroccan Ministry for Culture, the shells are the type prehistoric people would have worn. In 2007, Bouzouggar and Barton discovered 14 perforated shells in the same cave.
"This discovery shows that the making and use of objects of finery is very anchored in the traditions of Morocco's prehistoric people," said Bouzouggar, in whose opinion the country is the original center of artistic and symbolic creation.
Objects of finery discovered in Morocco are "now considered to be even more ancient than those discovered in Algeria, South Africa and in Palestine," said the Culture Ministry. Known as the "cave of pigeons," the 30-meter-deep, 10-meter high cave is situated 50 kilometers from Morocco's Mediterranean coast.
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