Uncovering Early Human Symbolism: Middle Palaeolithic Engravings in the Levant!

A fascinating new study has provided strong evidence that early humans in the Levant during the Middle Palaeolithic period deliberately carved geometric shapes onto stone tools. This suggests they possessed advanced cognitive abilities and engaged in symbolic behaviour far earlier than previously thought.

Led by Dr Mae Goder-Goldberger (Hebrew University and Ben Gurion University) and Dr João Marreiros (Monrepos Archaeological Research Centre and the University of Algarve), in collaboration with Prof. Erella Hovers (Hebrew University) and Dr Eduardo Paixão (University of Algarve), the research team published their groundbreaking findings in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.

Photo Credit: Erella Hovers/M. Goder-Goldberger et al., Archaeol Anthropol Sci (2025)

Challenging Assumptions About Early Human Intelligence

For years, archaeologists have debated whether markings on Middle Palaeolithic stone tools were intentional engravings or simply the result of practical use and natural wear. Many experts have believed that symbolic thinking and artistic expression only emerged in the later stages of human evolution, specifically with modern Homo sapiens. However, this study challenges that assumption, presenting strong evidence that some of these engravings were deliberately created—potentially as part of an early symbolic communication system.

Cutting-Edge Research Methods Reveal Hidden Meaning

The research team used advanced 3D surface analysis to examine five engraved artefacts from four sites across the Levant: Manot Cave, Qafzeh Cave, Quneitra, and Amud Cave. Their findings revealed distinct differences between the artefacts from these locations.

Stone tools from Manot, Qafzeh, and Quneitra featured clearly defined geometric patterns that were deliberately structured, aligning with the natural surface of the stone. This indicates that the engravings were made intentionally—possibly for aesthetic or symbolic purposes. Meanwhile, artefacts from Amud Cave displayed shallow, irregular incisions with no clear pattern, suggesting they were unintentional marks created by practical use rather than deliberate engravings.

Dr Mae Goder-Goldberger commented, “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, “Our methodology not only highlights the intentional nature of these engravings but also provides, for the first time, a comparative framework for studying similar artefacts. This significantly enriches our understanding of Middle Palaeolithic societies.”

Photo Credit: E. Ostrovsky / M. Smelansky / E. Paixao and L. Schunk

A Shared Cultural Tradition?

The engravings from Qafzeh, Quneitra, and Manot appear to be isolated phenomena in their respective time periods and locations. However, the consistency in their structured patterns suggests they were not random occurrences but instead a deliberate and repeated practice. This raises the intriguing possibility that early humans in these regions shared a cultural tradition centred around symbolic representation.

A Major Step Towards Understanding Early Symbolism

This study represents a significant breakthrough in our understanding of early human intelligence. By demonstrating that these engravings were consciously made, it bridges the gap between simple functional tool use and abstract expression. The fact that they date back to the Middle Palaeolithic period suggests that symbolic thought may have emerged much earlier than previously believed.

These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that early humans were far more complex than once assumed. While much remains to be discovered, one thing is clear—our ancestors were already engaging in sophisticated behaviours tens of thousands of years before modern civilisation took shape.