Name of Artifact: The Ocher Tablet of Engraved Symbols
Original Country: South Africa
Year of Production: Approximately 80,000 years ago
Location Now: The National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., USA

Background Information:‌
The Ocher Tablet of Engraved Symbols is a profoundly significant artifact from the early stages of human artistic expression, discovered in southern Africa. Dating back approximately 80,000 years, this small piece of ocher features deliberate engravings that represent some of the earliest known examples of abstract thought expressed visually. Currently housed in the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution, the tablet provides crucial insights into the cognitive and cultural evolution of early humans. The symbols etched onto the ocher, possibly representing early forms of communication or ritualistic markings, highlight the deep roots of human creativity and the impulse to imbue material objects with meaning. The preservation and study of such artifacts underscore the importance of Africa as the cradle of human civilization and the birthplace of visual expression.