**Collection:** Prehistory and Historical Archeology Dept. **Inv.-No.:** [UF-23028.103.1](https://www.online.landessammlungen-noe.at/objects/1519022) **Material:** Copper **Dimensions:** 5,9 cm x 2,7 mm **Dating:** 4550 - 4025 BCE A flat, spherical copper bead. This object was made by rolling out a metal wire with a rectangular cross-section. During the Neolithic period, particularly in its later phase, the first tools for working copper were already in use. This period is regarded as the beginning of the Metal Ages and is frequently referred to in academic literature as the Copper Age or Chalcolithic. Copper beads are among the earliest evidence of metal being worked into jewellery. This object was digitized through the ‘Kulturerbe digital’ program of the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Public Service and Sport.