(5)

Ostrich Egg beads

Location: Erongo mountain, Namibia

Age: c 10,000 years ago – present day

Composite: Ostrich egg

Collected by: Jackal

(6) (Companion Piece)

Ostrich Leather

Location: Oudtshoorn, South Africa

Age: Contemporary

Composite: Skin

Collected by: Sebastian

These beads were found on the surface layer* in a rock shelter which had cave paintings and other cultural material (pottery, stone tools). The bead with sharp, straight edges shows a “work in progress”, which was left incomplete. It was found in the same rock shelter as the well-rounded (polished) bead.

The two smaller beads represent the contemporary continuation of a traditional practice that may trace its origins to tens or even hundreds of thousands of years ago! These were made by Ju/’hoansi indigenous (San/Bushman) people.

*Because of the erosion-prone dry climate of Namibia, evidence of material culture may often be found right on the surface, making it nearly impossible to date the majority of ancient artefacts found (but also a paradise for budding archaeologists!).

The beads are sown onto a piece of ostrich leather which has been artificially dyed brown (it is a pale white colour normally). This one was produced in one of South Africa’s oldest and largest Ostrich Farms. During the Victorian era ostrich feathers were a highly in-demand luxury object which spurred poaching and trade across the African continent. Once the craze for Ostrich feathers subsided (or was replaced by cheaper, artificial knock-offs), ostrich farmers and hunters turned to other ways of profiting from the animal, such as selling the meat, eggs, plumage and of course leather.

(3) Mountain Zebra Tail Hair

Companion Piece

Location: Doros Crater, Namibia

Age: Contemporary

Composite: Hair

Collected by: Jackal

This natural artefact has been very popular with the Jackal’s Travelling Museum patrons, and what was originally a substantial amount of hair has dwindled down to these last remnants displayed here. I am especially proud to say that this Zebra tail has found its way into at least three schools and has delighted many children. Now, I’ll be tail searching once again. Sidenote: the Doros Crater is an igneous intrusion (or reverse volcano) and one of the most mysterious and haunting places in the world.

(8) Camelhair Rope

Companion Piece

Age: At least 60 years old

Composite: Camelhair

Location: Kutch, India

Collected by: Sophie Ray Lee, from the HiHiRi PiPiRi collection

Apart from plaiting hair into string and rope, as this example illustrates, animal hair was used from time immemorial for many other purposes such as making brushes to paint rock art with.