A recent study suggests that Ice Age hunter-gatherers might have used markings to communicate information about prey behavior around 25,000 years ago.
These markings, including dots, lines, and the symbol “Y,” often accompany animal images in caves across Europe, some dating back nearly 40,000 years.
While some researchers previously speculated that these markings might relate to timekeeping, their specific purpose remained unclear. However, a recent statistical analysis indicates that they might have recorded the mating and birthing schedule of local animals.
By comparing the markings to animals’ life cycles, researchers found a strong correlation between the number of dots or lines in an image and the month of mating across various examples. Additionally, the position of the symbol “Y” in a sequence predicted the birth month, suggesting it signified “to give birth.”
This finding suggests one of the earliest instances of a coherent notational system, indicating that Ice Age people could interpret the meaning of an item’s position in a sequence and plan ahead using a calendar-like system, showcasing complex cognition.
Ben Bacon, an independent researcher, compiled over 800 instances of these cave markings and proposed that the dots corresponded to the 13 lunar cycles in a year. He argued that the calendar year began with spring snowmelt rather than astronomical events like the equinox, making it adaptable across locations.
Bacon collaborated with academic researchers to identify the timing of migration, mating, and birth for Ice Age animals targeted by hunter-gatherers. Statistical analysis strongly supported Bacon’s theory.
Despite the lack of conventional syntax and grammar, linguistic experts argue that these markings wouldn’t be considered writing. However, they still represent a significant cognitive leap in record-keeping outside of the mind.
The debate over the meanings of these marks continues, with some researchers questioning the assumptions made by the study team and suggesting the need for further review and verification of interpretations.
