Sequins from the sea: Nautilus shell bead technology at Makpan, Alor Island, Indonesia

Mahirta, Mahirta (2023) Sequins from the sea: Nautilus shell bead technology at Makpan, Alor Island, Indonesia. Antiquity, 97 (394). pp. 810-828. ISSN 0003598X

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Abstract

One defining characteristic of Homo sapiens is the production and use of personal ornamentation. Evidence from Africa and western Eurasia has dominated discussion, but a growing number of finds directs attention towards Island Southeast Asia. In this article, the authors report on an assemblage of Nautilus shell beads from the Indonesian cave site of Makpan, Alor Island. The highly standardised forms, mostly with two perforations, and evidence of use wear, indicate that these beads were utilised as appliqués. Dating to the terminal Pleistocene, these beads appear to form part of a wider tradition also attested on Timor and Kisar, suggesting an early inter-island network across southern Wallacea.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Island Southeast Asia; late Pleistocene; marine shell; ochre; personal ornamentation; use wear analysis
Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
Divisions: Faculty of Cultural Sciences > Graduate Program in Archaelogy
Depositing User: OKTAVIANA DWI P
Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2024 04:22
Last Modified: 13 Sep 2024 04:22
URI: https://ir.lib.ugm.ac.id/id/eprint/6989

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