From The Telegraph: Ostrich egg patterns oldest form of art and communication.
Engraved patterns on the side of ostrich eggs dating back to the Stone Age could be the oldest form of written communication known to man, claims a new study.
The etchings, thought to be 60,000 years old, were used to mark the eggs which had been turned into water flasks by hunter gatherers in Africa.
It was so early it was before humans – or homo sapiens – left Africa to populate the rest of the world.
The four different patterns and markings are repeated and believed to convey ownership or purpose and to differentiate the eggs from each other. [continue, see photo]
Oooh – a new object to start Art 101 with, since the first day starts with “What is Art?”
Thank you, because I really like this one.
It is hard to imagine – 60,000 years ago – but still they found several examples.
There was an interesting article in American Scientist by Kurt D. Bollacker, entitled: “Avoiding a Digital Dark Age”.
The author writes about the fact that “Data longevity depends on both the storage medium and the ability to decipher the information”.
He did not know about this find. His oldest reference is 8000 BC.
If you want either of the original articles, let me know.
It will be my pleasure.
Jean