JOURNAL ARTICLE

Ancient artifacts hint at earliest protowriting: Geometric shapes on 40,000-year-old bone and ivory suggest early European Homo sapiens long possessed cognitive tools for language.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Brown, Taylor Mitchell 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses the discovery of ancient artifacts in the Swabian Alps, which may represent some of the earliest symbolic precursors to writing, dating back 43,000 to 34,000 years. Archaeologists found geometric engravings on bone and ivory, suggesting that early European Homo sapiens possessed cognitive tools for language similar to those used in the development of written systems. The research indicates that these symbols exhibit patterns akin to protocuneiform, hinting at the potential for complex communication among these hunter-gatherers. However, the lack of evolution into a formal written language may be attributed to their existing systems meeting their needs without the pressure for change. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2026/02, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2026
  • Accession Number:191843121
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