Beads -

: Early beads made from seashells found in North Africa and the Middle East date back over 120,000 years.

: Known as "trade beads," these objects were used as currency and bartered by explorers and merchants for local goods in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. : Early beads made from seashells found in

Beads can be classified by their material composition and physical form. Beads: The World’s First Jewelry - GIA : Early beads made from seashells found in

Beads are one of the world's oldest forms of human expression and technology, with a history spanning over . Far more than mere decoration, they have served as essential tools for trade, religious ritual, and the communication of social identity across nearly every global culture. Historical & Cultural Significance : Early beads made from seashells found in