LONDON — Archaeologists say they may have identified the oldest known form of writing after analyzing a series of enigmatic Stone Age engravings that predate previously recognized scripts by thousands of years.

The markings, carved into rock surfaces and portable stone objects, feature repeated geometric symbols arranged in deliberate sequences. Researchers believe the patterns were not merely decorative, but part of a structured communication system used by prehistoric communities.

Predating Known Scripts

Until now, the earliest widely accepted writing systems — such as Mesopotamia’s cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphs — were believed to have emerged around 5,000 years ago.

The newly studied engravings, however, are estimated to be significantly older, dating back to the late Ice Age or early Neolithic period, according to researchers involved in the analysis.

Using high-resolution imaging and statistical modeling, scientists found consistent patterns in how symbols were grouped and repeated. The sequences appear to follow rules, suggesting intentional meaning rather than random artistic expression.

Proto-Writing or Full Script?

Experts caution that the discovery may represent a “proto-writing” system — a precursor to fully developed writing. Proto-writing typically conveys information or ideas but may not encode spoken language in a complete grammatical sense.

“This suggests that early humans were experimenting with ways to record and transmit information long before the rise of urban civilizations,” one archaeologist said.

The engravings may have served practical purposes, such as tracking seasonal cycles, animal migrations or ritual events.

Rewriting Human History

If confirmed as a structured communication system, the findings could reshape understanding of when symbolic literacy first emerged. The research indicates that complex abstract thinking and record-keeping may have developed earlier than previously believed.

Scholars emphasize that more excavation and comparative analysis are needed before the engravings can definitively be classified as the world’s oldest writing system.

For now, the discovery adds a new layer of mystery to Stone Age societies — and raises fresh questions about how and when humans first began to write their world into stone.