Ice Age Europe Hosted Nine Distinct Cultural Groups, Study Reveals

Analysis of ancient ornaments uncovers cultural diversity and shared embellishments among different ancestries.

New research suggests that there were at least nine distinct cultural groups of hunter-gatherers in Ice Age Europe, each with their own unique styles of ornamentation.
Researchers analyzed thousands of pendants from across Europe, dating to between 34,000 and 24,000 years ago, and identified 134 different types of beads crafted from animal bones, teeth, shells, amber, and stone.
Genetic data from burial sites reveal that some of these cultural groups shared the same cultural embellishments even though they were of different ancestries.
The study also suggests that cultural boundaries were at times fluid, with neighboring groups occasionally swapping styles.
The findings highlight the role of personal ornaments as cultural markers and the importance of cultural identity in ancient societies.