A Brief History of Bling

Origin Stories

Travel through 50,000 years of human history following clues hidden inside beads made from ostrich eggshells. In this episode, researchers Jennifer Miller and Yiming Wang share how these tiny artifacts reveal a sweeping story of ancient social networks, cultural connections, and human adaptability.

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Guests

• Dr. Jennifer Miller
• Dr. Yiming Wang

Links to learn more

• Ostrich eggshell beads reveal 50,000-year-old social network in Africa (open access)
• An ancient social safety net in Africa was built on beads
• Are these snail shells the world's oldest known beads?
• Zambezi basin (Wikipedia)
• Paleoclimatology info and interactive paleoclimate map (National Centers for Environmental Education

Sponsors and credits

This episode was generously sponsored by Leakey Foundation Fellow Eddie Kislinger in honor of his wife, jewelry designer Cathy Waterman. Her designs are inspired by nature and influenced by her study of and connection with ancient human history. We are grateful to them for making this episode possible.

Additional support comes from Jeanne Newman, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund, and our listener-supporters.

Origin Stories is produced by Ray Pang. Our editor is Audrey Quinn. Theme music by Henry Nagle. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Lee Roservere.