14 DAY TRIAL // This week, researchers with the Russian Academy of Sciences confirmed that a bracelet discovered in 2008 in a cave in Siberia's Altai region does in fact date back to ancient times.
Thus, specialists who have had the chance to examine it say the piece of jewelry was forged about 40,000 years ago. This makes it one of the oldest bracelets thus far discovered by archaeologists.
The bracelet is no ordinary fashion accessory
Admittedly, many other ancient pieces of jewelry have been unearthed all around the globe in recent history. Still, it's not just its age that makes this bracelet stand out.
According to researcher Anatoly Derevyanko, the ancient fashion accessory is made of a mineral dubbed chlorite. As a result, it changes color.
When in broad daylight, the 40,000-year-old bracelet reflects sun rays. However, if placed close to a fire during nighttime, the jewel turns a brilliant deep green.
“The bracelet is stunning - in bright sunlight it reflects the sun rays, at night by the fire it casts a deep shade of green,” explained Anatoly Derevyanko, as cited by The Siberian Times.
The bracelet is said to measure about 7 centimeters (2.75 inches) in diameter, 0.9 centimeters (0.35 inches) in thickness and 2.7 centimeters (1.06 inches) in width.
As illustrated in the photos included in the gallery below, whoever made it drilled a hole in it. The hole likely served to attach a leather-bound charm.
“Next to the hole on the outer surface of the bracelet can be seen clearly a limited polished zone of intensive contact with some soft organic material,” said Anatoly Derevyanko.
“Scientists have suggested that it was a leather strap with some charm, and this charm was rather heavy,” the specialist went on to comment on this find.
Researchers have reasons to believe the bracelet is the work of Denisova hominins, a human species that emerged some 600,000 years ago but that eventually went extinct.
The jewel was likely worn on special occasions
Being as gorgeous as it is, some might think whoever owned this piece of jewelry wore it all year round, just to show off and spite others.
Archaeologists, however, suspect that its owner would put it on only of special occasions. Judging by its size, the bracelet likely belonged either to a woman or to a child.
