Early Humans Used Structured Symbols for Communication 40,000 Years Ago
An in-depth analysis of thousands of marks carved into Paleolithic artifacts reveals that early modern humans were utilizing structured symbols to communicate as far back as 40,000 years ago. The marks, attributed to the Aurignacian culture between 43,000 and 34,000 years ago, show evidence of deliberate organization, although they do not constitute a form of writing in the conventional sense.
While these symbols do not directly represent spoken language, the arrangement of the marks on various objects displays a level of structure akin to the earliest protocuneiform systems that emerged around 5,300 years ago. This suggests that these markings may serve as a precursor to writing, as suggested by linguist Christian Bentz from Saarland University and archaeologist Ewa Dutkiewicz from the Berlin State Museums.
According to the researchers, the presence of these marks indicates that the first hunter-gatherers in Europe were employing sign sequences with comparable complexity in a deliberate and systematic manner long before the advent of true writing systems.
Although these symbols do not encode specific numbers or ideas like protocuneiform, the presence of structured sequences suggests a form of early communication and information storage among these ancient humans.
Humanity’s unique ability to create shared symbolic systems for communication is exemplified by various forms of writing, tally marks, and even modern-day emojis. Many of these early systems have been lost to time, making it challenging to trace the origins of symbol usage.
Through a detailed statistical analysis of 260 portable objects from the Aurignacian culture, including figurines and tools crafted from various materials, researchers identified over 3,000 individual marks. These marks were categorized and analyzed to uncover patterns in their arrangement.
Using algorithms and information-theoretic models, the researchers found that the symbols appeared in deliberate sequences with measurable structure. Different types of objects exhibited distinct patterns, indicating a shared function rather than mere decoration.
While the exact meaning of these symbols remains unknown, the research highlights the early human capacity for structured communication and information sharing long before the development of formal writing systems.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sheds light on the ancient origins of symbolic communication and the evolution of human language.
