YABBA Dabba Doo! Archaeologists have discovered Flintstones-like cavemen were showing off their best bling 41,500 years ago. They found an oval medallion carved out of woolly mammoth bone — which would make even TV cartoon character Fred proud — buried in a cave. Tests have shown it is around 2,000 years older than other examples […]
YABBA Dabba Doo! Archaeologists have discovered Flintstones-like cavemen were showing off their best bling 41,500 years ago.
They found an oval medallion carved out of woolly mammoth bone — which would make even TV cartoon character Fred proud — buried in a cave.
Tests have shown it is around 2,000 years older than other examples of prehistoric jewellery.
And experts believe a pattern of dots on the 4.5cm by 1.5cm pendant may plot the position of the moon in the ancient night sky.
But the design could also be “hunting scores”, a record of animals or humans killed by the owner, a counting system or just decoration.
Radiocarbon dating was used to find the 4.5cm by 1.5cm pendant’s age.
Other “personal ornaments” found in Germany, which were previously thought to be the oldest, are 2,000 years younger.
Prof Sahra Talamo, of Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, found the ancient treasure in rocks in Stajnia Cave, Poland.
She said: “This is unique — the oldest known ornament made by man.
“It sets a new starting date for when humans started creating decorative jewellery.”
She said the piece suggests humans were developing complex social societies — like The Flintstones — earlier than previously believed.
Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too.
Click here to upload yours.
Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.
