Unearthing the oldest shell jewelry workshop in Western Europe

Unearthing the oldest shell jewelry workshop in Western Europe

The oldest workshop for making shell jewelry has been unearthed at the Paleolithic site of La Roche-à-Pierrot in Saint-Césaire, Charente-Maritime. Dating back at least 42,000 years and accompanied by red and yellow pigments, this unique assemblage in Western Europe has been linked to the Châtelperronian culture, which marks the transition between the last Neanderthals and the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe.

42,000-Year-Old Shell Jewelry Workshop Unearthed At The Paleolithic Site In France - Ancient Pages

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - The discovery of the oldest shell jewelry workshop at the Paleolithic site of La Roche-à-Pierrot in Saint-Césaire, Charente-Maritime, offers significant insights into ancient craftsmanship. This site, dated to at least 42,000 years ago, features an assemblage that includes red and yellow pigments. La Grotte des Fées archaeological site (Allier, France), type […]

The oldest shell jewelry workshop in Western Europe

Between 55,000 and 42,000 years ago, Europe underwent a profound transformation, with the last Neanderthals being gradually replaced by groups of Homo sapiens arriving during their most recent migration out of Africa. The Châtelperronian, a prehistoric culture attested in France and northern Spain during this period, occupies a central place in research. Recognised as one of the... Read more »

The oldest shell jewellery workshop in Western Europe

23.09.2025 - The oldest workshop for making shell jewellery has been unearthed at the Palaeolithic site of La Roche-à-Pierrot in Saint-Césaire, Charente-Maritime. Dating back at least 42,000 years and accompanied by red and yellow pigments, this unique assemblage in Western Europe has been linked to the Châtelperronian culture, which marks the transition between the last Neanderthals and the arriv