Engraving Bones in Prehistoric Times: Gripping Aids, Decorations, and Symbols
Berlin, May 6-8 2026
Organized by Ewa Dutkiewicz, Christian Bentz, and Éva David
Since 1974, the Commission Modified Bone & Shell of the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences (UISPP) has been dedicated to the study of the production and use of artifacts made from organic materials in prehistory. The commission provides a forum for the diversity of approaches to the study of worked hard materials whose origin is animal or human in nature (bone, teeth, shell, horn, ivory, carapace, integument, antler, etc.).
The upcoming meeting of the UISPP Commission on Modified Bone & Shell, "Engraving bones in Prehistoric Times: Gripping aids, signs, and decorations", is inspired by the EU-funded project EVINE (Evolution of Visual Information Encoding), examines the development of sign systems, beginning with geometric markings on mobile objects from the Paleolithic period.
The role of engraved objects with geometric or non-figurative motifs remains underexplored in Palaeolithic art studies, especially in contrast to the prominent focus on rock art. This conference brings together leading experts in this field to establish a focused, interdisciplinary dialogue on these often-undervalued objects and to develop a coherent framework for their analysis and interpretation.
In this conference, we will primarily focus on geometric motives in Prehistory, spanning from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Neolithic. Our goal is to critically examine the challenges and possibilities of distinguishing between non-intentional, utilitarian, and decorative markings. We will explore their varied functions and meanings, while considering the cognitive and cultural insights these practices can provide into human evolution. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, we seek to deepen our understanding of the role these markings played in shaping human behaviour, social organization, and symbolic thinking throughout evolutionary history.
