Archaeologists at several sites in southern Africa have uncovered hundreds of engraved ostrich eggshell fragments more than 60,000 years old, according to ScienceDaily.
A study led by researchers at the University of Bologna found that the markings were organized according to recurring geometric principles. The team reported repeated use of parallel lines, right angles, grids, rotations, and regular patterns.
To study the artifacts, researchers analyzed 112 fragments from two sites in South Africa, Diepkloof and Klipdrift, and one in Namibia, Apollo 11. Using geometric and statistical methods, they reconstructed the direction and shape of the engraved lines.
The results showed that more than 80% of the configurations followed consistent spatial patterns, and some designs included hatched bands and diamond-like motifs. The researchers say the findings point to early abstract thought and visual planning in Homo sapiens living tens of thousands of years ago.
