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The first signs : unlocking the mysteries of the world's oldest symbols
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The first signs : unlocking the mysteries of the world's oldest symbols

by Genevieve von Petzinger

An investigation into the geometric symbols found in Ice Age cave art across Europe. These abstract markings are analysed as the first evidence of graphic communication, offering insights into the evolution of symbolic thought and human intelligence.

Accession 11817 ISBN 9781476785493 Publisher Atria Books
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Archaeology Art Communication Culture Geology History Mathematics Philosophy Religion Science Sculpture Social Sciences
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True
position_updated_at
2026-06-04 14:47
orientation
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Hard Back
dimensions
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spine_text
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LOCATION HISTORY
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6 days ago
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Identity

name→ title
The first signs : unlocking the mysteries of the world's oldest symbols
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11817
vernon_slug
the-first-signs-unlocking-the-mysteries-of-the-worlds-oldest-symbols-genevieve-von-petzinger

Drives Pulse state

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isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
9781476785493

Descriptive

production_date
2016
object_type
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object_status
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brief_description
The First Signs is the first-ever exploration of the little-known geometric images that accompany most cave art around the world--the first indications of symbolic meaning, intelligence, and language. Join renowned archaeologist Genevieve von Petzinger on an Indiana Jones-worthy adventure from the open-air rock art sites of northern Portugal to the dark depths of a remote cave in Spain that can only be reached by sliding face-first through the mud. Von Petzinger looks past the beautiful horses, powerful bison, graceful ibex, and faceless humans in the ancient paintings. Instead, she's obsessed with the abstract geometric images that accompany them, the terse symbols that appear more often than any other kinds of figures--signs that have never really been studied or explained until now. Part travel journal, part popular science, part personal narrative, Von Petzinger's groundbreaking book starts to crack the code on the first form of graphic communication. It's in her blood, as this talented scientist's grandmother served as a code-breaker at Bletchley. Discernible patterns emerge that point to abstract thought and expression, and for the first time, we can begin to understand the changes that might have been happening inside the minds of our Ice Age ancestors--offering a glimpse of when they became us.

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authors→ author (initial fill only)
Genevieve von Petzinger
tags→ tags
Arts, Environmental sciences, Science, Religion, Geometry in art, Geometry, Mathematics, History, Archaeology, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, Communication, Anthropology, Antiquities, Material culture, Culture, Mythology, Symbolism, Earth sciences, Art -- History, Stone age, Geology, Signs and symbols, Visual communication, Europe -- History, Paleolithic period, Archaeology -- Records, Art, Prehistoric, Art and anthropology, Cave paintings, Rock paintings, Glacial epoch, Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quarternary, Physical geology
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Cover image

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