Ostrich Eggs and Symbolic Writing

Science News March 2nd (www.sciencenews.org id 56807) … a cache of ostrich shells have been found in South Africa with geometric designs engraved on them. They go back 60,000 years, it is said, and some experts are saying they represent evidence that humans at this time were capable of creating symbolic signs = a rudimentary language. This is surprising as we are talking about hunter-gatherers, probably related to the San people. There are 270 engaved ostrich egg shell fragments found in a rock shelter and in addition, evidence of water containers was also found. Humans were therefore able to traverse arid and hostile environments simply by carrying their water with them – an important advance.