The first shelves were invented by the ancient peoples of Northern South America and Southern North America. These shelves were made of wood or stone and were mounted vertically on a wall. Archaeologists now believe that the construction and placement of these shelves has been the main cause of ancient artifacts almost always being found in shards.
Source : Nile, Dee. International Geographic Annual, 1988.
Source : Nile, Dee. International Geographic Annual, 1988.