Hovers et al. / J. Moskovich
Archaeologists examined stone tools with advanced 3D scanning technology. They were intentional decorative elements rather than accidental marks.
Archaeologists used multiescala approach to study these ancient engravings.
First, through microscopes, they examined each artifact by documenting all surface modifications.
Then used optical scanners 3D High Resolution To create digital models of each piece, with tiny resolutions that reached 33 microimeters (about one third of the width of a human hair).
These detailed models allowed the team to analyze the texture of the surface and the geometry of individual incisions, explains the.
In each artifact, they identified “areas of interest” where the incisions grouped and then collected multiple incisions samples within these areas.
For each incision, they measured Four parameters In several transverse sections: the width between the edges, the cross -sectional area, the maximum depth and the opening angle.
This quantitative approach provided solid data to compare incisions within artifacts and between artifacts, helping the team distinguish intentional patterns from utility marks based on objective criteria rather than subjective impressions.
The five artifacts were divided into two groups distinct.
In the first group were the levallois of Manot and Qafzeh nuclei, and the platelets of Quinera; They had similar characteristics in their incisions – deeper cuts and wider grooves with an opening angles consistent from about 148 to 149 degrees. The incisions formed clear patterns with a minimum overlap between the brands.
The Manot nucleus specifically showed 64 incisions radiating in a range pattern from the center of the part, organized into three distinct areas of interest. Each area presented similar geometric characteristics in the incisions.
The second group consisted of two artifacts of the AMud cave, which had markedly different characteristics. Its incisions were much more superficial and narrow, with highly variable guidance and a substantial overlap between brands. Statistical analysis confirmed that these differences were significant.
That is, this reveals ancient stone recordings that retreat in thousands of years the timeline of human creativity. Our predecessors would already be artists 60,000 years before the rock paintings.
These are deliberate recordings in stone tools with up to 100,000 yearssignificantly retreating the date so far accepted for the beginning of the human symbolic expression.
The artifacts were from various sites of the Middle Paleolithic in Levante.
The most impressive evidence was found in Manot cave in Israelwhere a levallois stone core had 64 incisions made accurately, forming a fan pattern.
These recordings were made before the final phases of production of the tool, suggesting that they were intentional part of the manufacturing process, and were not added later. Were intentional decorative elements, not accidental marks.
Through a detailed geometric analysis, investigators confirmed that deliberate incisions were deeper, wide and consistent than utilitarian risks.
These tools were created both by Homo sapiens as for Neanderthals – Which suggests that symbolic thinking was shared by different human species.
