Ancient clay beads discovered in Israel date back 15,000 years

Archaeologists have discovered 142 ancient clay beads in Israel that date back approximately 15,000 years. The findings, published in Science Advances, suggest these are among the earliest known personal ornaments created by Natufian hunter-gatherers.

Research conducted at five different sites indicates that the production of these ornaments involved individuals of various ages, including both children and adults. The beads, which feature designs inspired by plant forms, represent early instances of symbolic expression and social organization during the transition toward sedentary life in the Levant.

According to researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, these discoveries provide new insights into how humans used clay for ornamentation long before the development of agriculture or ceramics.