The problem of Franco-Cantabrian abstract signs: Agenda for a new approach

Franco-Cantabrian art, mobiliary and parietal, contains a large number of highly enigmatic abstract signs and complex sequences of marks. Although there is general agreement among prehistorians and archaeologists that these signs and marks are meaningful, there is no plausible theory as to their significance. The marks show close correspondences with marks at other Paleolithic sites and also at Neolithic sites throughout the world. Extremely close correspondences exist between Franco-Cantabrian marks and the signs, characters, and letters in ancient written languages from the Mediterranean, the Indus Valley, and China. The sequences seem not to be owner's marks, maker's marks or mnemonic devices. The paper proposes that a concerted effort to determine the significance of the signs and marks should be made now.