The oldest beads, which are more than 40,000 years old, were found by American archaeologists during excavations in Kenya, and they are considered one of the evidence that it was in Africa that humanity originated. Scientists believe that, having invented beads, a person finally separated from the animal world. The bead is a bauble with no specific practical benefit. Beads can only be a sign, a symbol - and this is the beginning of culture and spirituality.