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Pearl fishing in the ancient world: 7500 BP
Author(s) -
Charpentier Vincent,
Phillips Carl S.,
Méry Sophie
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
arabian archaeology and epigraphy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.384
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1600-0471
pISSN - 0905-7196
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0471.2011.00351.x
Subject(s) - pearl , fishing , archaeology , geography , ancient history , fishery , history , biology
The oldest pearl in the world was found in the United Arab Emirates and dates from 7500 BP . Gemmologists and jewellers have popularised the idea that the oldest pearl in the world is the 5000‐year‐old Jomon pearl from Japan. Discoveries made on the shores of south‐eastern Arabia show this to be untrue, as the archaeological pearls that have been found are 2500 years older. In this region, pearls still hold an important place. Indeed, today they remain a central, identifying element. The discovery of archaeological pearls demonstrates an ancient fishing tradition that no longer exists today.