Archaeology & anthropology

Stone Age Carvings Show Writing-Like Complexity 40K Years Ago

Did Stone Age carvings encode information like early writing or are they indecipherable decorations?

Published FEB 27

Stone Age Carvings Show Writing-Like Complexity 40K Years Ago

Story

Above: The Adorant figurine, approximately 38,000 years old, consists of a small, ivory plate bearing an anthropomorphic figure. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

Researchers analyzed over 3,000 geometric signs carved into 260 Stone Age artifacts from southwestern Germany, dating between 43,000 and 34,000 years ago. The markings include crosses, dots, notches and lines carved into objects made of ivory, bone and antler.
ScienceAlert
CNN
The statistical analysis, published in PNAS, revealed that these Paleolithic sign sequences have information density and complexity comparable to proto-cuneiform script from ancient Mesopotamia, which emerged around 3,000 B.C.E. and is considered among the earliest known writing systems.
PHYS
Science
The carved symbols frequently appear in repetitive patterns such as cross, cross, cross or line, line, line, which differ from the patterns of spoken language. Despite this repetition, the sequences show measurable structure and deliberate arrangement rather than random decoration.
ScienceDaily
PNAS
Figurines displayed approximately 15% higher information density than tools in their sign sequences. Certain symbols appeared selectively on specific object types, with crosses never found on human figurines and dots never appearing on tools.
Smithsonian Magazine
The Jerusalem Post
The artifacts were created by some of the first modern humans to settle in central Europe, at a time when Homo sapiens migrated from Africa and encountered Neanderthals. These early humans also produced figurative art, musical instruments and personal ornaments.
ScienceDaily
CNN
While the sign sequences remained stable for roughly 10,000 years, they never developed into a full writing system representing spoken language. Researchers suggest hunter-gatherers may have had no practical need to evolve the system beyond its existing function.
ScienceAlert
Science

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Stone Age humans deliberately encoded information through systematic sequences of carved symbols 40,000 years ago, creating an early predecessor to writing with statistical complexity matching ancient Mesopotamian proto-cuneiform. These weren't random decorations but intentional patterns that could be reproduced and recognized within communities — revealing a gradual process of organizing information visually.

Discover Magazine

Narrative B

Though intriguing, the 40,000-year-old markings are not yet confirmed evidence of true writing. The markings on Stone Age objects remain a mystery, and decoding their meaning is exceptionally difficult. While patterns exist, calling these ancient decorations a predecessor to writing is premature and more study is needed.