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.