The Berbers have occupied North Africa, specifically the Maghreb, since the beginning of recorded history and until the Islamic conquests of the 8th century CE constituted the dominant ethnic group in the Saharan region.
The first intentional creation of jewelry in ancient human history was a profound moment. This was not about utility, but about symbolic communication and identity. The production of standardized shell beads, such as those possibly originating in Morocco, required advanced motor skills and intentional manufacture. This innovation created durable social markers, which strengthened communal identity and facilitated early, long-distance trade networks.
