RABAT: Archaeologists have uncovered shells used for finery by prehistoric man 85,000 years ago in a cave in eastern Morocco, the country’s heritage institute said on Tuesday.

A research team led by archaeology and heritage institute (INSAP) member Abdeljalil Bouzouggar and Nick Barton from Oxford University found the 20 perforated shells in a cave near Taforalt between March and April this year.

The Nassarius gibbosulus shells are the type prehistoric man would have worn, according to a statement from the Moroccan Ministry for Culture.

In 2007, Bouzouggar and Barton discovered 14 perforated shells in the same cave.

“This discovery shows that the making and use of objects of finery is very anchored in the traditions of Morocco’s prehistoric people,” said Bouzouggar, in whose opinion the country is the original centre of artistic and symbolic creation.

Objects of finery discovered in Morocco are “now considered to be even more ancient than those discovered in Algeria, South Africa and in Palestine”, said the culture ministry.

Known as the “cave of pigeons”, the 30-metre deep and 10-metre high cave is situated 50 kilometres from Morocco’s Mediterranean coast. —AFP