研究人员在南非和纳米比亚的考古遗址中发现了超过60,000年前的鸵鸟蛋壳雕刻物，其上的几何图案遵循严格的规则性原则[1]。这批出土于南非Diepkloof和Klipdrift遗址以及纳米比亚Apollo 11遗址的112个鸵鸟蛋壳碎片上，包含平行线、直角关系、交叉带纹、网格和菱形等复杂图案[1]。超过80%的雕刻配置展现了一致的空间模式[1]，表明早期人类已具备组织视觉空间的抽象思维能力。
由Università di Bologna研究团队完成的这项研究在《PLOS One》2026年第21卷第2期发表[1]。协调研究人员Silvia Ferrara表示，"这些雕刻是有组织的、一致的，展示了几何关系的掌握"[1]。这些发现表明，距今6万多年前的人类已经具有复杂的几何思维和视觉规划能力。
Researchers have uncovered evidence of complex geometric thinking among early humans through the analysis of engraved ostrich eggshells discovered at archaeological sites in South Africa and Namibia [1]. The engravings, dating back more than 60,000 years, display patterns governed by strict organizational principles, including parallel lines, right-angle relationships, and repeated motifs that suggest advanced abstract spatial reasoning capabilities [1].
The study examined 112 ostrich eggshell fragments from three locations: Diepkloof and Klipdrift in South Africa, and Apollo 11 in Namibia [1]. Over 80 percent of the analyzed configurations exhibited consistent spatial patterns, revealing evidence of deliberate geometric planning and visual organization [1]. The engraved designs feature angles approaching 90 degrees, parallel lines, crosshatching, grids, and diamond shapes [1]. According to Silvia Ferrara, who coordinated the research, "These engravings are organized and consistent, demonstrating a mastery of geometric relationships" [1].
The findings, published in PLOS One in February 2026, were led by first author Valentina Decembrini and her team [1]. The work indicates that early humans possessed cognitive abilities capable of conceptualizing and executing visual patterns based on abstract geometric principles [1].