150,000-Year-Old Stone Engravings Found in Levant Show Earliest Human Symbols

A pioneering study by Dr. Mae Goder-Goldberger (Hebrew University and Ben Gurion University) and Dr. João Marreiros (Monrepos Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioral Evolution, LEIZA, and ICArEHB, University of Algarve), has unveiled a stunning revelation about the minds of our ancient ancestors. Certain incised stone artifacts, unearthed from the depths of Manot, Qafzeh, and Quneitra caves in the Levantine Middle Palaeolithic, bear deliberate and intricate geometric engravings—silent echoes of a world where early humans wielded not just tools, but thought, symbolism, and imagination.

These markings are not mere scratches; they are evidence of advanced cognitive and symbolic behavior, a testament to the dawning of abstract thought. In stark contrast, the artifacts from Amud Cave, with their shallow, unpatterned incisions, suggest purely functional use, devoid of artistic or symbolic intent. This research peels back the veil of time, offering profound insight into the cultural complexity of Middle Paleolithic societies and the emergence of human expression as we know it.

Published in [Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences], the research explores the intentionality behind incised stone artefacts, providing compelling evidence of abstract thinking and symbolic behavior during the Middle Palaeolithic period.

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While Middle Palaeolithic incised stone artifacts have often been assumed to be intentional, this assumption lacked rigorous empirical support. Many archaeologists attributed these markings to functional causes like tool use or natural processes, reflecting a broader skepticism about the capacity for abstract or symbolic thought in early hominins. Symbolic behavior, including art and abstract expression, was traditionally believed to be a later development associated exclusively with modern humans. This study challenges that traditional view by presenting evidence of deliberate, symbolic engravings predating the global dispersal of modern humans.

The study focuses on artefacts from key Levantine sites, including Manot Cave, Amud Cave, Qafzeh Cave, and the open-air site of Quneitra. Using advanced 3D surface analysis, the researchers examined the geometry and patterns of incisions to distinguish intentional engravings from functional marks. The findings reveal striking differences:

Artefacts from Manot, Qafzeh, and Quneitra feature deliberate engravings with geometric patterns that align with the surface topography, underscoring their aesthetic and symbolic intent. In contrast, incisions on artefacts from Amud Cave are shallow, unpatterned, and consistent with functional use as abraders.

Dr. Mae Goder-Goldberger explains, “Abstract thinking is a cornerstone of human cognitive evolution. The deliberate engravings found on these artefacts highlight the capacity for symbolic expression and suggest a society with advanced conceptual abilities.”

Dr. João Marreiros added, “The methodology we employed not only highlights the intentional nature of these engravings but also provides for the first time a comparative framework for studying similar artefacts, enriching our understanding of Middle Palaeolithic societies.”

Though the engraved artifacts from Qafzeh, Quneitra, and Manot appear as isolated occurrences within their respective time periods and regions, the striking similarities in incision techniques and pattern structuring suggest they were not random markings, but deliberate, intentional creations. These engravings hint at a shared cognitive process—one that moves beyond mere functionality into the realm of abstract expression.

By uncovering these purposeful designs, this research sheds new light on the emergence of symbolic behavior, offering a crucial glimpse into the intellectual and cultural evolution of early Palaeolithic hominins. It represents a pivotal step in bridging the divide between practical tool use and the first stirrings of artistic and symbolic thought, revealing the roots of human expression in the distant past.