Sylph
03-04-2010, 12:06 AM
https://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/56807/title/Stone_Age_engraving_traditions_appear_on_ostrich_eggshells (https://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/56807/title/Stone_Age_engraving_traditions_appear_on_ostrich_eggshells)
Standardized designs identified on 60,000-year-old water containers<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
By Bruce Bower (https://www.sciencenews.org/view/authored/id/10/name/Bruce_Bower) <o:p></o:p>
Web edition : <ACRONYM>Monday, March 1st, 2010</ACRONYM> <o:p></o:p>
Marks of distinctionOstrich eggshell fragments found at a rock shelter in southern <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> indicate that people living there roughly 60,000 years ago used these eggshells as water containers. In an early example of symbolic communication, the people engraved standardized geometric designs on the shells that probably indicated group identity. P.-J. Texier, Diepkloof project<o:p></o:p>
Long before human communication evolved into incessant tapping on computer keys, people scratched on eggshells.<o:p></o:p>
Don’t laugh—researchers say a cache of ostrich eggshells engraved with geometric designs demonstrates the existence of a symbolic communication system around 60,000 years ago among African hunter-gatherers.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Standardized designs identified on 60,000-year-old water containers<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
By Bruce Bower (https://www.sciencenews.org/view/authored/id/10/name/Bruce_Bower) <o:p></o:p>
Web edition : <ACRONYM>Monday, March 1st, 2010</ACRONYM> <o:p></o:p>
Marks of distinctionOstrich eggshell fragments found at a rock shelter in southern <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> indicate that people living there roughly 60,000 years ago used these eggshells as water containers. In an early example of symbolic communication, the people engraved standardized geometric designs on the shells that probably indicated group identity. P.-J. Texier, Diepkloof project<o:p></o:p>
Long before human communication evolved into incessant tapping on computer keys, people scratched on eggshells.<o:p></o:p>
Don’t laugh—researchers say a cache of ostrich eggshells engraved with geometric designs demonstrates the existence of a symbolic communication system around 60,000 years ago among African hunter-gatherers.<o:p></o:p>
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