Ancient Individuals in Glacial Period Utilized Consistent Graphic Signs Across Global Caves. These Symbols Potentially Uncover the Genesis of Written Language
In the realm of human history, the origins of communication have long been a subject of fascination. Recent discoveries suggest that the essence of writing may not have begun with the clay tablets of Mesopotamia, but rather with the symbols scratched onto cave walls during the Ice Age.
Paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger embarked on a captivating journey, exploring 52 caves across Europe in search of these ancient symbols. Her findings revealed a prehistoric emoji system, a collection of 32 distinct geometric symbols that kept reappearing across caves worldwide. These symbols, which range from simple zigzags to intricate spirals, hint at humanity's first experiment in abstract communication.
The Ice Age symbols, found in caves dating back to around 30,000 to 33,000 years ago, were first brought by early modern humans during the Upper Paleolithic period. These symbols and hand stencils were created by humans of the Aurignacian and Gravettian cultures and can be seen in renowned sites like the Chauvet Cave in France and the recently discovered Cosquer Cave off Marseilles.
Interestingly, these symbols were not new inventions of Ice Age Europeans, but were brought from Africa around 40,000 years ago. The spread of these symbols happened through migrating populations and trade routes, much like how memes spread today.
One intriguing theory suggests that these symbols may mirror hallucinations triggered by shamanic rituals or migraines, as proposed by South African archaeologist David Lewis-Williams. However, von Petzinger argues that the deliberate and sometimes sequential nature of these symbols on jewelry hints at an early form of writing.
Another fascinating discovery was made in South Africa's Blombos Cave, where a 70,000-year-old piece of ochre was found etched with cross-hatching, considered the earliest drawing ever found. Meanwhile, divers discovered Cosquer Cave off Marseilles in 1985, which contains some of the most stunning cave art in Europe.
The democratization of expression may have been the true revolution. With these simple symbols, ideas could survive their creators and knowledge could travel. Drawing a square was simpler than drawing a mammoth, making the Ice Age symbols accessible to anyone, not just artists. This accessibility allowed for the preservation of information outside the body, such as by scratching into stone, painting on walls, and etching onto teeth.
The search for more Ice Age signs is ongoing, with many caves along Europe's coasts now underwater. Efforts are being made to explore these submerged caves using mini-submarines, hoping to uncover more secrets of our prehistoric past. As we delve deeper into the world of Ice Age symbols, we are not only discovering the roots of human communication but also gaining a newfound appreciation for the ingenuity and creativity of our ancestors.
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