Prehistoric Symbols Rewrite the Story of Writing
2025-09-21
Challenging the long-held belief that Sumerians invented writing around 3400 BCE, new research suggests prehistoric humans used a consistent system of symbols thousands of years earlier. These symbols, found across multiple European caves, consist of simple shapes like dots, lines, and triangles. This suggests a far earlier development of symbolic thinking and information exchange than previously thought, potentially hinting at an ancient global network of communication. The discovery redefines our understanding of writing's origins and implies advanced cognitive abilities in early humans.