6000 YEAR OLD ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CARNELIAN BEAD ANTIQUE .-2

One of the least understood aspects of ancient cultures is their skill level and the tools they had. This is a hard stone (carnelian) bead made in ancient Egypt in the Predynastic Period, before 3200 BC and 500 years before the pyramids were built. It is 14.4mm (about .56") diameter, bun form and flaked (like an arrowhead) to shape including the hole. This is finishes flat on two sides. Imagine taking a rock, piece of antler-anything from nature, and chipping, grinding, or boring a uniform hole through a piece of plate glass! That is essentially what the maker of this bead has done and shaped the rest of it to a uniform form as well. These guys knew what they were doing! This is a remarkable artifact of a fascinating ancient culture and a fine additions to any antiquities collection or a modern jewelry creation.