EisatoponAI: Geometric Shapes in Ancient Rock Art Paintings

In the fascinating video below, anthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger explores how certain symbols appear repeatedly in prehistoric cave art across Europe.

While her central thesis is that some aspects of written communication may be far older than previously believed, there’s an intriguing mathematical dimension to these symbols that invites deeper reflection.

Among the markings she presents, we see forms that resemble:

Circles
Half-circles
Spirals
Triangles
Quadrangles
The numeral "1"

In another segment of the video, we find symbols that look strikingly similar to:

The hash sign (#)
A multiplication symbol (×)
Simple lines

Although it’s uncertain whether these shapes were used for mathematical purposes, their resemblance to modern mathematical symbols is striking. After all, many of today's mathematical notations—such as Greek letters—originated from non-mathematical alphabets and were later repurposed.

It’s compelling to consider the possibility that in ancient times, symbols may have held multiple layers of meaning—serving as early expressions of both communication and abstract thought, perhaps even laying the groundwork for future mathematical reasoning.

Watch the full video, titled Why Are These 32 Symbols Found in Caves All Over Europe, to explore this idea further.