| Author | Organisation | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Jeany Weisheit | Museum of Prehistory Blaubeuren | Ice Age Jewelry, Mammoth Ivory, Group Identity |
Ancient Jewels of the Swabian Alb
For 40,000 years, people in the Swabian Alb have adorned themselves with remarkable jewelry, a tradition now showcased in two newly designed rooms at the Museum of Prehistory in Blaubeuren. Visitors are invited to explore the rich history of jewelry-making, highlighting the incredible craftsmanship of Ice Age artisans.
Showcasing Ice Age Jewelry
In the first room, nearly 300 archaeological finds from the Aurignacian, Gravettian, and Magdalenian periods illustrate the materials and shapes used in jewelry from that time. The museum presents a glimpse into the Upper Paleolithic era, where the use of mammoth ivory, animal teeth, and jet beads represented a significant evolution from the previously used snail and mussel shells. The complexity of manufacturing these items sets the Swabian Alb sites apart, with six of them recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 'Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura.'
The Legacy of Mammoth Ivory
One of the most striking features of the collection is the Aurignacian double-perforated, and occasionally triple-perforated, beads made from mammoth ivory. These beads, found in the Ach and Lone valleys, can be traced for a time span of over 6,000 years, suggesting that jewelry traditions were deeply rooted in the culture more than 40,000 years ago. This enduring practice may have been a way to signify group identity.
Mammoth tusks were the most commonly used material for creating jewelry, though other materials included the teeth of various animals like cave bears, ice foxes, wild horses, and wolves. Over time, as mammoth herds migrated northward due to climate changes, ivory became scarce, leading people to use alternatives such as ammonites, animal bones, and jet.
The finds suggest that jewelry traditions were deeply rooted in the culture more than 40,000 years ago.
The Diversity of Jewelry Forms
The shapes of these ancient pieces were as varied as the materials, ranging from double-perforated beads and drop-shaped pendants to processed deer canines, buttons, and bars. This diversity reflects the adaptability and creativity of Ice Age jewelers.
Jewelry as a Statement of Identity
The second room of the exhibition delves into the significance of wearing jewelry and what it reveals about its wearer. According to Melanie Holcomb, Curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, "adorning the body is in fact one of the most complicated and meaningful activities human beings engage in."
Jewelry can express hierarchy, power, wealth, religious affiliation, group identity, or individuality. However, these expressions can be easily misinterpreted without understanding the cultural and personal significance behind each piece.
Connecting the Past to the Present
The exhibition showcases a range of jewelry with potential meanings, from Stone Age pieces to modern medals, religious elements, wedding rings, fan scarves, a gold necklace by a German jewelry designer, and even the Olympic gold medal won by Dieter Baumann in 1992 in Barcelona.
At the end of the exhibition, visitors are invited to reflect on their own jewelry by looking into a mirror and comparing the pieces they've seen with what they wear. This interactive element encourages visitors to consider whether their own jewelry holds deeper meaning beyond mere decoration.
