A small object known as the Adorant figurine, discovered in 1979 in a cave in Germany, is drawing renewed scientific attention. The artifact, about 40,000 years old, contains sequences of notches and dots that appear to follow structured patterns rather than serving as simple decoration. The findings were reported by Hina.
Early symbols from the first modern Europeans
The figurine was created by members of the Aurignacian culture, one of the earliest cultures associated with modern humans in Europe. The artifacts date between roughly 43,000 and 34,000 years ago, a period when groups of hunter gatherers were spreading across the continent after leaving Africa and encountering Neanderthals.
The figure represents a hybrid being, part lion and part human. It was carved from mammoth ivory and measures about 38 millimeters in length and 14 millimeters in width. It was found in the Geissenklösterle cave in the German state of Baden Württemberg.
Similar sequences of notches, dots, lines, crosses, and star like shapes have been identified on numerous other objects from the same period. Researchers examined more than 200 artifacts from four cave sites in southwestern Germany.
Computer analysis and information density
The research team conducted a computational analysis to measure what is known as information density, defined as the amount of information conveyed per unit of sign.
The results indicate that these sequences go beyond aesthetic ornamentation. Linguist Christian Bentz from Saarland University stated that the markings were applied selectively and according to specific conventions. For example, crosses were found on tools and animal figurines, but not on human representations.
The authors emphasize that the signs do not constitute a true writing system. They lack a clear connection to spoken language structures, which is a defining feature of writing.
Parallels with early Mesopotamian writing
Interestingly, the informational density of these Paleolithic signs shows similarities to proto cuneiform writing from the ancient Mesopotamian city of Uruk, which emerged around 3300 BC and later developed into cuneiform script.
Although the Aurignacian signs do not form a writing system, they display certain design features also found in later written languages. This suggests advanced cognitive abilities among humans of that era.
Archaeologist Ewa Dutkiewicz from the Museum of Prehistory and Early History in Berlin noted that most scholars agree Homo sapiens 40,000 years ago likely spoke languages structurally comparable to those spoken today.
Broader context of the findings
Most of the analyzed artifacts were made from mammoth ivory, as well as animal bones and antlers. They include figurines of animals such as mammoths, cave lions, and horses, hybrid creatures, tools, personal ornaments, and even musical instruments such as flutes.
The study was published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
