In new research, archaeologists analyzed five engraved artifacts from the Levantine Middle Paleolithic: two engraved Levallois cores from Manot and Qafzeh caves, an engraved plaquette from the site of Quneitra, as well as a flake and cortical blade from Amud Cave. Their findings highlight the intentionality behind the engravings, providing key insights into the development of abstract thinking and the cultural complexity of Middle Paleolithic societies.
The engraved cortical Levallois core from Manot Cave. Image credit: E. Ostrovsky / M. Smelansky / E. Paixão / L. Schunk.
Until now, the intentionality of Middle Paleolithic incised stone artifacts was broadly accepted and although not well-supported by empirical testing.
Many archaeologists viewed these marks as functional, created through tool use or natural wear.
There was skepticism about the existence of abstract or symbolic thought in early hominins, with the understanding that symbolic behavior, such as art or abstract expression, emerged much later in human evolution and is specifically associated with modern humans.
The current study challenges that view, offering evidence of deliberate, symbolic engravings prior to global colonization by modern humans.
In the study, Dr. Mae Goder-Goldberger, an archaeologist at Hebrew University and Ben Gurion University, and colleagues focused on artifacts from key Levantine sites, including Manot Cave, Amud Cave, Qafzeh Cave, and the open-air site of Quneitra.
Using advanced 3D surface analysis, the researchers examined the geometry and patterns of incisions to distinguish intentional engravings from functional marks.
The findings reveal striking differences: artifacts from Manot, Qafzeh, and Quneitra feature deliberate engravings with geometric patterns that align with the surface topography, underscoring their aesthetic and symbolic intent.
In contrast, incisions on artifacts from Amud Cave are shallow, unpatterned, and consistent with functional use as abraders.
“Abstract thinking is a cornerstone of human cognitive evolution,” Dr. Goder-Goldberger said.
“The deliberate engravings found on these artifacts highlight the capacity for symbolic expression and suggest a society with advanced conceptual abilities.”
“The methodology we employed not only highlights the intentional nature of these engravings but also provides for the first time a comparative framework for studying similar artifacts, enriching our understanding of Middle Paleolithic societies,” said Dr. João Marreiros, an archaeologist at the Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie, Johannes Gutenberg University and the University of Algarve.
“While the engraved artifacts from Qafzeh, Quneitra, and Manot are isolated initiatives within their chronological and geographic contexts, the shared traits of the incisions themselves and the similarities in pattern structuring suggest intentional, predetermined actions.”
“These findings deepen our understanding of symbolic behavior and offer crucial insights into the cognitive and cultural development of early hominins.”
“This research marks a significant step toward understanding the scope of symbolic behavior of our ancestors, bridging the gap between functional tool use and abstract expression.”
The team’s paper was published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.
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M. Goder-Goldberger et al. 2025. Incised stone artefacts from the Levantine Middle Palaeolithic and human behavioural complexity. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 17, 27; doi: 10.1007/s12520-024-02111-4
