Learning with
Granny!
Jewellery Communicates a Story from the Past
"Where have you bunch been?" asked
Granny. "We have nearly finished our breakfast."
"Frikkie's been showing us some sites on the
Internet about "Early Humans'. His connection isn't very good though,"
said Vinny, always the perfectionist. "There's one about a recent dicsovery
that could be jewellery over 75,000 years old," said Terry.
"Yes," said Margie excitedly, "and he wants to take us to go and
see the place where it was found," she went on breathlessly. "Can we
go Grandpa.. please? Please Alex?" she added to ensure that she would have
a ride.
Frikkie had joined them and was pouring himself some
orange juice. "Yes, if you would like to go we could leave in about a half
an hour. I just need to sort out some things on the farm first," he said.
They all agreed it sounded most interesting.
"In the meantime, go and have a look at the
computer, I have left it open at the website I was surfing," said Frikkie
picking up a sausage as he rushed off.
(Test your skills at searching the Internet for
information on the 75 000 year old jewellery discovery!)
Thinking that they could all travel in the
"kombi", they were surprised to see Frikkie arrive with a jeep load of
children who lived on the farm in the back. "Jump in and ride with me
Alex," he said, and waved as the combi started up. Tion was quite happy to
stay with Margie and the others. "See you there".
The children were soon engrossed in watching the
"kombi" driving some distance behind them. Grandpa or someone must
have waved at them and they all started waving and laughing back. Pointing out
things of interest as they passed them along the road. A tour bus from Cape
Town, a huge pantechnicon holding about nine brand new cars on it's way to the
city. Gift stalls, farms with cows grazing contentedly and bridges over little
streams.
When they came to a stop the children climbed out of
the Jeep and waved again at the "kombi" which pulled in to a stop
alongside them. Tion was soon chatting happily in a mixture of languages to a
smiling girl. Lee and Vinny were pleased to have some young male company for a
change and began kicking a soccer ball around on the beach. Hetty, Granny and
the girls were chatting away to the children as they looked for shells.
The three men left everyone enjoying themselves on the
beach and took a slow walk to the ridge at the end. They thought they had better
just check if it was in order to bring a large group to see the cave, careful
not to disturb any scientific work which may be in progress. It all seemed quiet
and they remembered that it was a holiday so having a look around they ambled
back past the rocks to the beach where they found everyone enjoying a swim in
the sea.
Terry and Hetty had the little ones in a line between
them and holding hands they all bobbed up and down in the shallow breakers. Ann
and Margie were holding tightly to Tion and the little smiling girl and letting
the water cover their feet. Granny was inspecting the contents of the picnic
basket that Cook had placed in the back of their vehicle.
After they had had their picnic lunch, they all went
down to the cave. Alex chuckled as he watched the young people looking about.
"You really have to look at things through a child's eye" he remarked.
We didn't notice all the interesting nooks and crannies like they do. Without
disturbing the site in any way, the children surveyed the cave, being careful
not to touch or disturb anything. Vinny was looking at rocks to find one
he thought someone might be able to rest their head on to sleep. Lee saw a
little alcove where fishing gear could be kept. Terry found a tiny stream of
water seeping out from the side on the hill and was satisfied that people could
have quite happily lived there.
"What are you thinking about Margie?" asked
Alex, rather amused to see the little girl so quiet and deep in thought.
"Did our early human ancestors really live here?" she asked.
"Come on Alex - that's a plea for you to put another story together"
said Frikkie - who had overheard Margie's question.
 They were interrupted by a plea from one of the
children. "Please can we go and swim in the rock pools now - we've seen
this place many times." "Great idea" agreed everyone - except
Margie "I haven't found any evidence of early life here yet and I
especially wanted to find something to give my Mom for her birthday" Click
JPEG Kisses Lee couldn't help laughing at her . "You might have to wait
75,000 years too before you do. Why don't you 
give her that pretty necklace you
made at Granny's house?" 'Good idea!" she smiled and took his hand
"come on lets join the others in the water." Enter the images to the
right to see the whole picture.
Read the next chapter of the Myth behind the Mist of
Mankind's Memories. Enter here, for a continuation of Alex's
story to the children from last month. Then come back for this month's poem.
Eclectic Adornment
People have worn jewellery since time began
Perhaps to distinguish their tribe or their clan
Or a meaningful message created from the heart
To a loved one from whom he'd been kept apart.
Some wear jewellery to show wealth and power
Others their love of nature and life
When on their chest they pin a fresh flower
Or exchange rings when they become husband and wife.
Men adorned themselves in the past
Wore a talisman to protect them from harm
The tooth of an animal, captured at last
Or a beautifully carved ivory charm.
We don't know the meanings of each piece created
Each has a story to be told
Each nation of Earth reveals the culture of its birth
When in our hand it's jewellery we hold.
So next time you find a tiny shell on the beach
Treasure life's mystery.
One just like it might been within reach.
And used as a gift in ancient history.
Choose carefully a gift for a partner or a wife
Or when selecting a trinket for a friend.
The piece of jewellery might be worn their whole life
And be handed down through time without end.
by Jenny Marais
If you would like to e-mail Granny
your questions and ideas please do so at granny@scienceinafrica.co.za
Until Next Month, Happy Reading!
Granny Jenny
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