Discovered in 1953 in the Dziadowa Skała Cave in southern Poland, the bone was initially thought to be a rib. However, after examining it with a 3D microscope and computed tomography (CT) scans, researchers determined that it was an arm bone (radius) from a juvenile bear, most likely a brown bear. The incisions, which adorn the bone in a cylindrical fashion, do not appear to have any utilitarian purpose, such as tool use or ritual importance. Rather, their repetitive, similar, limited, and organized nature suggests intentional craftsmanship.
To determine how the incisions were made, the team made experimental marks on fresh cattle bones with replica flint blades and Middle Paleolithic knives. They found that the marks were most likely made by quick, repeated knife movements toward the knife operator. The comma-like shape of many of the incisions indicates that the artist was right-handed.
The precise meaning of the incisions is still unknown. However, some researchers suggest that they may have been a form of symbolic communication or a way of passing on numerical information. Regardless of their specific intent, the Dziadowa Skała Cave bone is a remarkable example of the advanced cognitive abilities of Neanderthals and provides valuable insights into their cultural practices.
