60,000-Year-Old Geometric Patterns on Ancient Ostrich Eggshe

Over 60,000 years ago, early humans in southern Africa were already engraving intricate geometric designs onto ostrich eggshells. Recent studies reveal these carvings were not random but followed distinct patterns comprising lines, angles, and shapes. Hundreds of ostrich eggshell fragments uncovered at multiple southern African sites provide insight into how Homo sapiens during the Howiesons Poort period employed visual systems to organize concepts.

Published in PLOS One, the research titled “Earliest geometries: A cognitive investigation of Howiesons Poort engraved ostrich eggshells” delved into the construction of these markings, demonstrating that the engravings adhered to geometric principles rather than being mere decorative scratches.

The researchers examined 112 pieces from Diepkloof Rock Shelter and Klipdrift Shelter in South Africa, along with Apollo 11 Cave in Namibia. Combining geometric analysis with statistical approaches, they assessed the angles, directions, and spatial arrangements of the etched lines.

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Consistent Patterns on Ancient Eggshells

These fragments probably originated from ostrich eggshell vessels used for transporting or storing water. Close inspection revealed recurring motifs, with over 80% of designs exhibiting deliberate spatial structuring.

Common features included parallel lines and angles near 90 degrees, while more advanced forms displayed grids, hatched bands, and diamond shapes. The study also identified engraving techniques such as rotation, repetition, and layering of multiple patterns on the same surface.

“These signs reveal a surprisingly structured, geometric way of thinking,” said Silvia Ferrara, professor at the University of Bologna and coordinator of the research. She explained that the engravings were created through “parallelisms, grids, rotations and systematic repetitions: a visual grammar in embryo.”

Fragments of ostrich eggshell displaying ancient linear engravings. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science

Insights into Early Human Artistic Expression

These engravings hold significance beyond their visual appeal. Crafting such patterns demanded foresight and the capacity to organize elements under shared conventions. While the precise meanings of these symbols remain unknown, the researchers propose that their creation offers valuable clues into early human cognitive abilities, illustrating the capability to develop abstract visual systems.

Varied geometric motifs found on engraved ostrich eggshell fragments, including orthogonal lines, hatched bands, and repeating patterns. Credit: PLOS One

Valentina Decembrini, the study’s lead author and a PhD candidate at the University of Bologna, emphasized that 60,000 years ago, Homo sapiens already possessed the skill to arrange visual information based on abstract frameworks. She remarked:

“Transforming simple forms into complex systems by following defined rules is a deeply human trait that has characterized our history over millennia, from the creation of decorations to the development of symbolic systems and, ultimately, writing.”

Unveiling Humanity's Earliest Symbolic Systems

This investigation was part of the FIS Advanced project SAPIENCE (Symbols, Preliteracy and Code Evolution), directed by Silvia Ferrara and collaborating with Enza Spinapolice at Sapienza University of Rome. By combining archaeological discoveries and mathematical scrutiny, the team deepened understanding of how these early engravings were conceived.

Although the exact significance and function of these engraved symbols remain elusive, the artifacts indicate that humans were systematically producing repeated, organized visual motifs thousands of years prior to the emergence of writing.