NPR story on Symbolic Thought, Beads, & Evolution

Hey Folks! There was a really interesting story on NPR's "All Things Considered" today about symbolic thought that concludes with an explanation of how beads are the earliest examples of human symbolic thought, dating back 75,000+ years. I know that so many of us create our ornament with the intention of creating a symbolic thought, not just "another piece of ornament." At least that's the case for me with my lapidary work and stone beads that I make. I thought others in this forum might appreciate listening to or reading this story on the NPR website. Maybe it will push the evolution of your jewelry making up a notch or make you feel more connected to the human history of symbolic thought....

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129082962&sc=fb&cc=fp