40,000-year-old signs show humans were recording information long before writing
Science Daily
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
More than 40,000 years ago, Ice Age humans were creating intricate patterns of dots, lines, and crosses on tools and figurines, far earlier than previously understood. A groundbreaking study by linguist Christian Bentz and archaeologist Ewa Dutkiewicz reveals that these engravings, found across Europe, are not random decorations but structured sequences with remarkable complexity and information density comparable to proto-cuneiform, the earliest known writing system.
Archaeological sites, such as the Swabian Jura in Germany, have yielded artifacts like a mammoth figurine adorned with rows of crosses and dots. Other finds include a lion-human hybrid plaque covered in notches and dots, and the Lion Human sculpture featuring evenly spaced notches. These patterns suggest purposeful communication or information storage, predating formal writing by tens of thousands of years.
The research, published in *PNAS*, analyzed over 3,000 geometric signs across 260 Paleolithic objects using computational techniques. While the symbols remain undecoded, their structural properties reveal a high level of repetition and predictability, distinct from modern writing systems. This study challenges previous assumptions about early human cognitive abilities and communication, offering new insights into the origins of visual symbolism.
The findings highlight how ancient humans encoded information through visual patterns long before the development of written language. By examining these engravings, researchers uncover a previously unexplored chapter in human history, bridging the gap between prehistoric art and writing systems like proto-cuneiform. This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of early human culture but also underscores the evolutionary significance of symbolic communication.
The study's broader implications suggest that visual symbols played a crucial role in early societies, potentially aiding in storytelling, record-keeping, or conveying abstract ideas. By identifying these patterns, scientists gain a deeper appreciation for the cognitive and cultural achievements of Ice Age humans, challenging traditional timelines for the evolution of writing and communication.
This research not only enriches our understanding of human history but also invites further exploration into how these early symbols might have influenced later developments in language and culture. As Bentz notes, "These signs represent a unique statistical fingerprint, offering a glimpse into the origins of visual communication and its role in shaping humanity's intellectual trajectory."
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/25/2026