Patterns on mammoth tusks help to retell history of writing
BBC World
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Scientists have discovered intricate patterns on ancient mammoth tusks that suggest early humans were using symbols to communicate as far back as 45,000 years ago—predating previously believed origins of writing by tens of thousands of years. These findings, uncovered in caves in Germany, reveal rows of crosses, dots, and notches etched onto objects like figurines and plaques, which researchers believe held meaningful messages. This challenges the long-held belief that writing first emerged in Mesopotamia around 5,000 years ago.
The research, conducted by a team including Prof Christian Bentz from Saarland University and Ewa Dutkiewicz from Berlin's Museum of Prehistory and Early History, analyzed over 3,000 symbols across 260 artifacts. They found that the density and repetition of these marks closely resemble the patterns seen in later proto-cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia. The objects, many small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, were carefully crafted by skilled artisans, suggesting they played a significant role in communication for early humans.
Among the artifacts is a figurine carved from mammoth tusk with meticulously engraved rows of crosses and dots, as well as an ivory plaque depicting a lion-human creature with notches and dots arranged in distinct patterns. The researchers argue that these symbols were deliberately created to convey meaning, potentially representing abstract concepts or narratives. This breakthrough not only rewrites the history of writing but also highlights the intellectual sophistication of Stone Age people.
The discovery underscores how early humans developed complex systems of communication long before the development of modern writing. By analyzing the statistical properties of these symbols,
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on BBC World on 2/26/2026