Ostrich eggshells with patterns engraved on them were found in Africa dating back 60,000 years. The eggshells were used to carry water.
In other words, writing. Or at least a form or communication that led to writing. The researchers examined 270 fragments of ostrich eggs found in South Africa. Link -via Scribal Terror
The four different patterns and markings are repeated and believed to convey ownership or purpose and to differentiate the eggs from each other.
The researchers led by Pierre-Jean Texier, of the University of Bordeaux, said that before this discovery, the first signs of art, writing or 'culture' was thought to have been first shown in the late Stone Age between 35,000 and 10,000 years ago.
It included cave paintings dating back to 30,000 years BC, thought to be some of the earliest examples of decorative art or written communication.
But this latest discovery, which is much older, showed "collective identities and individual expressions" that were the beginning of modern civilised behaviour, they said.
In other words, writing. Or at least a form or communication that led to writing. The researchers examined 270 fragments of ostrich eggs found in South Africa. Link -via Scribal Terror
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It is very likely that “collective identities and individual expressions” were created and died out many times before one evolved into Sumerian or Ancient Egyptian. Unless they are applied to something as durable as an ostrich egg, we would never find evidence. Look at the Henge Builders of Britain. They certainly had something of the sort, but nothing survives to today.
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