Ishango Bone
Precision ArtifactDescription
Ishango Bone is a precision artifact in DR Congo, Africa. It is held at Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences gives its chronology as “c. 20,000 years ago.” Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences also records: “Tally or calculation device.”
A notched bone tool whose marks may record counting or a lunar calendar.
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Claims
Compare the published evidence and its interpretations. “Consensus” records the mainstream account; “Alternative” identifies a competing interpretation, not an equally established conclusion. Estimates and unresolved questions remain qualified in the claim text.
| Field | Consensus | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 20000 BCE - 18000 BCE c. 20,000 years ago Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences | No claims found. |
| Purpose | Tally or calculation device Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences | No claims found. |
| Method | No claims found. | No claims found. |
Calculating elapsed time...
Approximate - counted from January 1, 19,000 BCE (UTC). Based on the midpoint of 20,000 BCE - 18,000 BCE; the underlying date is uncertain.
| Unit | Completed total |
|---|---|
| Centuries | — |
| Decades | — |
| Years | — |
| Days | — |
| Hours | — |
Each row is an independent total of the same span, not a breakdown to add together.