[The prehistory of mathematics and the modern mind: mathematical thought and resourcefulness in the Palaeolithic Franco-Cantabrian region].
In the present article, we begin by reviewing the different types of symbolic records produced by prehistoric groups from the oldest probable origins of the modern human mind. Next, we review some of the most outstanding prehistoric pieces related to counting, enhancing the relevance (both quantitatively and qualitatively) of this type of piece in the Franco-Cantabrian region. These reviews lead us finally to note the tremendous relevance, within this context, of four horse-bone plaques from the Altamira Cave, dated in the Solutrean period (18,500 years). These small plaques, apparently constituting a coherent group of interrelated elements, are proposed here as the representation of a recursive process, recursion being a feature proposed as proper and exclusive of human language.
González Redondo
Francisco A
FA
Departamento de Algebra, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. faglezr@edu.ucm.es
Martín-Loeches
Manuel
M
Silván Pobes
Enrique
E
D005602:France; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics / Q000266:history*; D008606:Mental Processes; D010163:Paleontology; D013030:Spain