Ornaments of Microlithic Period in Sri Lanka: Based on Cultural Deposit in Rock Shelters

Cultural objects composed of composite materials with differing physical properties are often differentially preserved in archaeological records favoring those materials less susceptible to taphonomic processes. Using microscopically observed wear patterns to decipher a model of socioeconomic roles for composite beaded objects, this study examines the rich ornaments (shell and others) bead assemblage excavated from microlithic periods of rockshelters. Here, I present my findings from the reinvestigation rockshelter sites. Analyses of ornaments (shell and vertebrate) remains from the rockshelter  show that this early human presence is associated with rainforest foraging.  Traces of marine shell beads and other objects from a 35 - 80 km-distant shore, and, possibly burials reflect symbolic practices from the outset of human presence at the rockshelter.