Turkish archaeologists from Mardin Artuklu University found the oldest piercing jewelry to date. Neolithic artifacts were found in the Boncuklu Tarla tombs in southeastern Turkey. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Ancient ages.
While examining the graves, scientists found a collection of rivets that resembled modern lip piercing accessories. The location of these objects suggested that ancient humans wore them in their ears and lower jaw.
Characteristic wear marks were also found on the jaws of some of the skulls found in the graves, probably resulting from the wearing of lip earrings.
A total of 85 piercing jewelry-like artifacts were found in Bonçuklu Tarla. The objects were made of flint, copper, limestone and obsidian.
Radiocarbon dating showed that five of the objects in the collection date from 10,000 to 8,000 years ago; This makes them the oldest piercing accessories known to science. The age of previous similar finds on the territory of modern Iran was only 6.4 thousand years.
Scientists stated that jewelry worn on pierced skin in graves was found only in adults. This may indicate that piercing in the Neolithic era was associated with initiation rites performed when a person reached a certain age.
Earlier archaeologists to create Türkiye has the oldest yeast bread.