Skilled Neanderthal Hand Engraved Ancient Stone And Hashtag Symbol

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - A flint flake from the Middle Paleolithic of Crimea was likely engraved symbolically by a skilled Neanderthal hand, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Bordeaux, France, led by archaeologist Ana Majkić and colleagues, have developed a new interpretation of engravings on stone artifacts.

“…The microscopic analysis and 3D reconstruction of the grooves on the cortex of this small flint flake, demonstrate that the incisions represent a deliberate engraving made by a skilled craftsman, probably with two different points…” researchers write in their paper published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The new method that allows the classification of engraved stone structures and patterns, has been used to test an engraved flake from the cave site of Kiik-Koba in Crimea. The many stone artifacts at the site are associated with Neanderthal remains and date to around 35,000 years ago.

The researchers concluded that the incisions represent deliberate engravings that would have required fine motor skills and attention to detail.

These engravings appear to have been made with symbolic or communicative intent.

Engraved stone artifacts are important clues to the history of human culture and cognition. Incisions on the cortex (soft outer layer) of flint or chert flakes are known from Middle and Lower Paleolithic sites across Europe and the Middle East.

If this interpretation is correct, this engraved flake would join a growing list of signs that Neanderthals engaged in symbolic activities, along with evidence of intentional burial, personal ornaments, and other decorated objects, researchers say.

This has implications for the question of when and how many times this sort of cultural expression has evolved among hominin populations. The researchers believe the results of this study can be used to analyze other artifacts of varying ages and cultural contexts.

As previously mentioned on Ancient Pages, it’s very difficult to determine if ancient etchings were symbolic in nature. For example, scientists are now trying to answer after having discovered hashtag-like etchings on a rock in South Africa's Blombos Cave. The etchings are estimated to be over 100,000 years old. Is the hashtag world’s oldest symbol and first communication attempt?

Scientists are investigating the purpose of the hashtag symbol - read more

We simply don’t know, but we can say with certainty that there is solid evidence the Neanderthals were much more advanced than previously thought.

Scientists have found evidence the Neanderthals used toothpicks and plant-based medicine to treat pain and illness.  Neanderthals created jewelry 40,000 years ago, decorated their caves with rocks, and much more. To say the Neanderthals were primitive is incorrect.

The discovered Crimean stone could be the Neanderthals' attempt to communicate using symbols.

Writte by Conny Waters AncientPages.com Staff

Expand for references