Ancient Objects From 50,000 Years Ago Reveal Mysterious Symbols

[Judi Lynn]

15 February 2025
By Carly Cassella



A Levallois stone core. (Goder-Goldberger et al., Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2025)

The tiny cuts and grooves that decorate some ancient human artifacts are not just pretty accidents, according to some archaeologists. They could be early signs of creativity and symbolic thinking in our stone-knapping ancestors.

A new study led by researchers at the Hebrew School of Jerusalem in Israel has determined that several ancient human artifacts made in the Levant region between 50,000 and 100,000 years ago were designed with subtle yet "intentional engravings."

Today, the Levant region encompasses the land bridge between Africa and Eurasia – so naturally, it was one of our ancestors' first stops out of Africa all those millennia ago. It was there we began to improve our toolmaking, but there may be more to these tools than their function.

Under the microscope, researchers at the Hebrew School of Jerusalem found that some Levantine stone tools contain clear geometric designs. The lines are not merely hack marks, as other experts have argued in the past; they would have required intent, planning, and execution.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-objects-from-50000-years-ago-reveal-mysterious-symbols

[MiHale]

1. Artists practicing to get it right...

[GreenWave]

2. I used to be #37

So "37 go" meant I had to rush the QB
G-72 meant my grandma made it to her 72nd yr.
and the final 37 is the old cycle of time when
I suit back up.

Mysteries solved?Or back to sleep go I, perchance to dream.