Stone Age symbols may push back the earliest form of writing
New Scientist
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Stone Age symbols engraved on artifacts in Germany suggest that a form of proto-writing may have been used in Europe as early as 40,000 years ago—tens of thousands of years before the development of full writing systems. This groundbreaking study challenges previous assumptions about the origins of writing, indicating that early humans in Europe during the Aurignacian era (around 45,000 to 34,000 years ago) developed a systematic way to record information using graphic symbols.
The artifacts analyzed include figurines, tools, and pendants engraved with sequences of notches, dots, lines, and crosses. These markings were found on objects like the Adorant figurine, which dates back approximately 38,000 years. Researchers noted that these symbols were used in recurring patterns, suggesting a deliberate and intentional form of communication. This systematic use of symbols is particularly significant, as it indicates a level of complexity comparable to the earliest stages of writing systems like proto-cuneiform.
To understand the meaning behind these symbols, archaeologists Ewa Dutkiewicz and linguist Christian Bentz analyzed the sequences using computer models. Their findings revealed that the statistical properties of these ancient sign sequences closely resemble those of proto-cuneiform clay tablets from Mesopotamia. This suggests that early humans used these symbols to record thoughts or information, fulfilling one definition of writing as a system of visible marks for communication.
The implications of this discovery are profound. If confirmed, it pushes back the emergence of proto-writing by more than 30,000 years and highlights the cognitive abilities of early Homo sapiens. This study challenges previous theories that writing developed much later in human history, around 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. The ability to use symbols systematically may have played a crucial role in the social and cultural evolution of these ancient societies.
For readers interested in science, this research offers new insights into the origins of human communication and the development of writing systems. It raises questions about how early humans processed information and what these symbols might have represented—whether they were used for storytelling, record-keeping, or even expressing abstract ideas. This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of prehistoric cultures but also underscores the ingenuity of Stone Age societies in developing complex forms of expression.
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Originally published on New Scientist on 2/23/2026