Original Article

Pearl fishing in the ancient world: 7500 BP

  1. Vincent Charpentier1,
  2. Carl S. Phillips2,
  3. Sophie Méry2

Article first published online: 9 APR 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0471.2011.00351.x

Issue

Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy

Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy

Volume 23, Issue 1, pages 1–6, May 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Charpentier, V., Phillips, C. S. and Méry, S. (2012), Pearl fishing in the ancient world: 7500 BP. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, 23: 1–6. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0471.2011.00351.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Inrap, UMR Archéologie et Sciences de l'Antiquité, Maison de l'Archéologie et de l'ethnologie R. Ginouvès, France

  2. 2

    CNRS, UMR Archéologie et Sciences de l'Antiquité, Maison de l'Archéologie et de l'ethnologie R. Ginouvès, France

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 APR 2012
  2. Article first published online: 9 APR 2012

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Keywords:

  • pearl diving;
  • Arabia;
  • Neolithic

The oldest pearl in the world was found in the United Arab Emirates and dates from 7500 BP. Gemmologists and jewellers have popularised the idea that the oldest pearl in the world is the 5000-year-old Jomon pearl from Japan. Discoveries made on the shores of south-eastern Arabia show this to be untrue, as the archaeological pearls that have been found are 2500 years older. In this region, pearls still hold an important place. Indeed, today they remain a central, identifying element. The discovery of archaeological pearls demonstrates an ancient fishing tradition that no longer exists today.

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