An Upper Palaeolithic Proto-writing System and Phenological Calendar

A groundbreaking analysis of Upper Palaeolithic cave art, including sites like Altamira, reveals the first known proto-writing system used by Homo sapiens. Researchers demonstrate that non-figurative signs—specifically the line, dot, and chevron—served as numerical and ordinal markers in a phenological calendar, recording lunar months and parturition periods of prey animals. This system, found in association with animal imagery across 400 European caves, suggests a sophisticated method for conveying seasonal behavioral information. The study provides concrete evidence that these signs functioned not just symbolically but as a structured notational system, offering unprecedented insight into early human communication and cognitive development.

Bacon, B., Khatiri, A., Palmer, J., Freeth, T., Pettitt, P., & Kentridge, R. (2023). An Upper Palaeolithic Proto-writing System and Phenological Calendar. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 33(3), 371–389. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0959774322000415