SCIENCE

Ancient Marks: Clues to Early Human Brainpower

AfricaEuropeTue Jul 29 2025

Beyond the Mind: The Quest for Memory

People have always found ways to remember things beyond their own minds. From computers to notches on sticks, these tools help us store and recall information. Scientists think humans are the only ones who do this. But what about our ancient ancestors? Did they have similar tools?

Artifacts from the Middle Paleolithic Era

Some artifacts from the Middle Paleolithic era might be early examples of these memory tools. But there's no clear proof yet. Researchers decided to look closer. They compared the marks on these potential tools to other artifacts. They also looked at similar tools used by people in recent history.

Unique Patterns and Advanced Thinking

The marks on these ancient tools were different. They had a unique pattern. This suggests that early humans in Africa and Europe had advanced thinking skills. They could store and retrieve information. This is a big deal. It shows that early humans were more capable than we thought.

The Implications for Today

But what does this mean for us today? It shows that humans have always been curious. We've always looked for ways to remember and understand the world. This is just one piece of the puzzle. There's still so much to learn about our past.

questions

    Do these findings support the theory that ancient civilizations had advanced knowledge that has been lost to time?
    How do the spatial distribution patterns of markings on potential early AMSs differ from those on butchery and ornamental artifacts?
    Is it possible that mainstream archaeology is suppressing evidence of even earlier forms of AMS?

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