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Magical|
Beads
as Amulets
by
Pat Patten
As
far back as
40,000 years
ago, mankind
was adorning
itself with
cylindrical
beads of bones
and ivory,
evidence of
a concern
with magic.
The earliest
mythology
of these beaded
amulets is
associated
with graves,
to ensure
a continued
life for the
deceased.
Skeletons
were adorned
with cowrie
shells, perforated
stone disks,
bone ornaments
from the ribs
of rhinos,
mammoths and
mammoth teeth.
Even snail
shells were
perforated
to be worn
as necklaces
with lion
and bear teeth.
The
earliest beads
of teeth and
bones, dated
to approximately
38,000 B.C.,
were discovered
in France
and associated
with Neanderthal
man. Throughout
history, tribal
myths are
interwoven
with stories
explaining
how an individual
is actually
part of a
larger organism.
Neanderthal
skeletons
were interred
with supplies
suggesting
the idea of
another life.
They were
buried with
attention
to the east/west
axis, the
path of the
sun, to later
be reborn
from the earth.
Amulets
were often
worn in preparation
for the hunt.
Animal divinity
or the animal
master was
believed to
send the flocks
to be killed
and then to
recycle them
back again
to feed mankind.
The ritual
of the hunt
served to
reinforce
the covenant
between man
and the animals,
showing reverence
for the great
sacrifice
the animal
was making.
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