30/10/2023
Upper Palaeolithic burial with skull cap made from hundreds of snail shells, Arene Candide, Italy. Remains of what might have been a shell bead cap atop the skull of a man buried at Arene Candide. The Arene Candide Cave, located in northwestern Italy directly overlooking the Mediterranean, midway between Genoa and the French border contains a necropolis of some 20 adults and children. In the 1940s, archaeologists became interested in the cave and first excavations were conducted. In 1942, a spectacular Mid Upper Palaeolithic (Gravettian) burial ornamented with shells was discovered at Arene Candide. Archaeologists refer to the adolescent man as "The Prince." Radiocarbon tests indicate that he flourished ca. 22,000 - 21,000 BC. The skeleton was found 6.7 meters below the current ground surface of the cave, lying on a bed of red ochre. Additional grave goods included shells, mammoth ivory pendants, antler batons etc. A 23-centimeter long flint blade was lying next to the right hand
