Acta Anthropologica Sinica
2020, 39 (
):
223-235.
10.16359/j.cnki.cn11-1963/q.2019.0015
Ostrich eggshell beads are among the main types of personal ornament since the Stone Age, offering vital clues for human behavioral evolution and cognitive development. As a form of information technology for interindividual and intergroup communication, ostrich eggshell beads are still widespread in African hunter-gatherer societies today. This article starts with ostrich eggshell structure and taxonomic identification, giving a general overview of the discoveries of Paleolithic beads made of ostrich eggshell, as well as relevant ethnological documentation and archaeological studies since the 20 th century. The authors expect the information provided could benefit Chinese archaeological research on ostrich eggshell beads.