The origin of the hashtag? Scientists discover a 73,000-year-old drawing of the famous symbol in South Africa
Researchers have discovered a drawing on rock in South Africa that dates back 73,000 years, and appears to depict a hashtag
It’s a symbol used by many people on a daily basis, and now scientists believe they may have found the origin of the hashtag.
Researchers have discovered a drawing on rock in South Africa that dates back 73,000 years, and appears to depict a hashtag.
The team, from the University of Bordeaux, discovered the drawing on a piece on a piece of siliceous rock at Blombos Cave in South Africa.
An analysis suggests that the drawing was deliberately made by humans, using a pointed ocher implement as a pencil.
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Comparing the drawing to previous patterns, the researchers believe that this could be the earliest known drawing.
It precedes the oldest previously discovered by at least 30,000 years.
The findings demonstrate that the first humans in this region of Africa used symbols to communicate with one another.