Of all the things about a woman's appearance that can preoccupy her, at the top of the list has got to be the hair. We wash it, comb it, cut it, dye it, tease it, roll it, braid it, and decorate it to death, sometimes literally. Then we have to cut it and treat it and start all over again. That's how we do it today anyway. We generally assume that cave women probably did not worry too much about their hair, but that might not be true.

Hair ornaments from as far back in history as 10,000 B.C. have been found, mainly boxwood combs from the stone- age period. Hair spikes or sticks have been common in many cultures throughout history. In early Egyptian and Oriental cultures, many different hair adornments were used, such as the hair sticks, along with forks, combs and spikes. These items could sometimes indicate a person's social class, individual status, or represent different stages of their lives.

Since the earliest days when wood or bone were the first substances used to make hair items, later in time many other substances were added to make them from. Bone was used in cultures like Native Americans, early Celtic society, and in Africa for a long time and is still seen in use there today by more primitive tribes.

Gold was used by the Egyptians. It could be elaborately embellished with shells, coral or gem stones. Coral and shell could represent fertility and protection. Some people, like the Moorish society, thought that gold was evil and wearing it was forbidden. Ivory was used a lot to make hair articles, but in some places only royalty was allowed to wear it.

In most of our current cultures, hair adornments do not usually hold much significance other than embellishing the hair for reasons of our own particular style, fashion, or simply holding the hair out of one's way. Jewelry for the hair can be the most simple of designs when used for playing sports or other activities.

Plastic items are popular to use for casual wear. It can also be made from very elegant, intricately designed styles that are for dressing up the hair. Combs, barrettes, clips, pony tail holders and even tiaras are made with precious metals and precious gemstones.

Other substances like coral or mother of pearl are still used today as long ago. Women have evidently been preoccupied by hair for many years past and will probably remain preoccupied with their hair for as long as they have it on their heads.