Name your Palette: Description: http://www.ancientresource.com Sumerians valued jewelry as a sign of status and wealth. Each bead was carved with great care, and drilled through with pinpoint accuracy, a stunning achievement given the technology available at the time. Most retain their original creamy white and rich black color, with some earthen deposits on the surfaces. These beads are from an old upstate New York collection, legally excavated in Syria in the 1960's. Re-strung on sturdy flexible wire with sterling silver clasps and findings, and are perfectly wearable.