Egyptian jewellery

Early history of Jewelry

The history of jewelry is a longone, with many different uses among different cultures. It has endured forthousands of years and has provided various insights into how ancient culturesworked. Thefirst signs of jewelry came from the Cro-Magnons, ancestors of Homo sapiens,around 40,000 years ago. The Cro-Magnons originally migrated from the MiddleEast to settle in Europe and replace the Neanderthals asthe leading species. The pieces theymade were crude necklaces and bracelets of bone, teeth and stone hung on piecesof string or animal ligament, or pieces of carved bone used to secure clothingtogether. In some cases, jewelry had shell or mother-of-pearl pieces. Insouthern Russia,carved bracelets made of huge tusk have been found. Most commonly, these havebeen found as grave-goods. Around 7,000 years ago, the first sign of copperjewelry was seen.

Early Egyptian Jewelry

Jewelry has played various rolesin ancient Egypt.In addition to man\'s natural attraction to beautiful items, jewelry had areligious and magical significance in the Egyptian ancient world by protectingthe wearer from evil.

The first signs of establishedjewelry making in Ancient Egypt was around 3,000-5,000 years ago. The Egyptianspreferred the luxury, rarity, and workability of gold over other metals.Predynastic Egypt had already acquiredmuch gold; although the Egyptians acquired gold from the eastern deserts ofAfrica and from Nubia,in later years they captured it in the spoils of war or acquired it as tributesfrom other nations.

Jewelry in Egyptsoon began to symbolise power and religious power in the community. Although itwas worn by wealthy Egyptians in life, it was also worn by them in death, withjewelry commonly placed among grave goods. Unfortunately, grave robbers havedestroyed much of the archeological evidence.