First work

2002/01/11 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Paleontologia
• Giza zientziak
• Arkeologia

In the cave of Blombos, in the South African Republic, a supposed first work of art has been found. And so far the paintings of a French cave of 35,000 years ago had that honor, and the works of Bonblos are at least 40,000 years older.

All indications point to that 77.000 years ago an individual carved lines and triangles into two ochre red stones. The images show that the author owned abstract thinking and had the capacity to speak. In addition, these images are not a mere draft. On the contrary, the head of the Museum of the South African Republic, taking into account the work of the images and the same design in separate stones, says that they were carved with a specific objective. Apparently, ochre stones were taken to the cave from more than 30 to 40 km of valley, and it is possible that the bodies have been used for painting or have been kept decorated.

Next to the stones, carved bones and fishing gear have been found in the cave, so the technological level of its inhabitants corresponds to the cultural development. According to an anthropologist at the University of Washington, carved lines and triangles can be words or numbers.

From anatomical and genetic remains, it is believed that Homo sapiens arose about a quarter of a million years ago. But it is still impossible to know when the language, culture and other characteristics of modern man emerged. The answer can be given by the works of art, which reveals the social structure, convictions and rituals that the authors had.