Scientists Say the First Humans to Do Math Weren’t Us — They Were Neanderthals and Homo Erectus

Homo Sapiens have only been using math for a few thousand years, but recent studies suggest that even ancient human species might have understood them too, long before we existed on this planet. Mathematics, as most of you know, is one of the most complicated and difficult concepts for our minds to master, even with our developed brains.

So, previously, scientists assumed that we were the first species to use and understand math. However, artifacts and fossils from tens of thousands of years ago suggest otherwise. Neanderthals, along with Homo erectus, who both existed before modern humans, may have possessed some mathematical abilities, including geometry and counting.

Counting Long Before Us

Archaeologists have uncovered some engraved bones and stones dating back hundreds of thousands of years, long before Homo sapiens walked on Earth. The artifacts included Acheulean handaxes by Homo erectus, which showcase their understanding of symmetry.

Another is marked bones from Neanderthal shelters, suggesting that earlier human species may have understood the concepts of geometry, proportions, and maybe they could even count.

You might think that this is not enough evidence to conclude that Neanderthals and Homo Erectus may have used math, but imagine someone carving lines at regular intervals in their cave. This sounds like they are counting right, which is one of the most basic foundations of mathematics.

Read more: Labrujulaverde.com

Homo Erectus: Geometry on the Savannah

Daniel Everett, "Homo Erectus and the Invention of Human Language"

Nearly 1.7 million years ago, Homo Erectus was thought to have created symmetrical equipment or stone tools like the Acheulean bifaces. They pertain to those pointy, carved rocks that ancient humans used as a knife or weapon.

Some scientists believe that it could have been their instinct, but recently, most agree that one would need an understanding of shape, balance, and proportion to be able to carve it. In other words, Home Erectus most probably used geometry in their daily life without realizing it.

Neanderthals Wove Math into Daily Life

Neanderthals left behind engraved bones in caves like Cavallo (Italy) and Temnata (Bulgaria). These engravings of consistent patterns found on their fossil remains and cave stones represent deliberate or intentional marking and not just decorative.

Another evidence is from Abri du Maras, a 50,000-year-old cord fragment made up of fibers suggests that Neanderthals understood the concept of pairs, sets, and bundlings. They were applying basic math in crafting their tools.

Read more: Science Focus

A Brain Wired for Numbers

All of these discoveries from the past point us to believe that Neanderthals and Homo Erectus have a more sophisticated level of cognition that may have allowed them to use Math, whether they realized it or not.

Biologically speaking, the genetic roots of these cognitive abilities, such as genes like ROBO1, have long existed before modern humans. This simply indicates that math was biologically possible for our ancient ancestors or evolutionary cousins.

Homo Erectus - The First Humans

Author's Final Thoughts

Before Homo sapiens, both Homo erectus and Neanderthals showed signs that they had the capabilities to use complex thoughts like mathematics. Whether it is through simple counting or crafting techniques using geometry and proportions, the findings challenge the previously held beliefs that we were the first ones to use math.

Read more: Scientists Explain: If We Evolved from Monkeys, Why Are There Still Monkeys Today?

References & Further Reading

Joordens, J. C. A., et al. (2015). Homo erectus at Trinil on Java used shells for tool production and engraving. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13962

Majkić, A., et al. (2017). A decorated raven bone from the Zaskalnaya VI (Kolosovskaya) Neanderthal site, Crimea. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173435

d’Errico, F., et al. (2018). From number sense to number symbols: an archaeological perspective. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0518

Li, Z., et al. (2019). Engraved bones from the archaic hominin site of Lingjing, Henan Province. Antiquity. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2019.81

d’Errico, F., et al. (2018). From number sense to number symbols: an archaeological perspective (Les Pradelles hyena-bone case study). Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B (PMC version). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5784044/