JERUSALEM, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli researchers have revealed botanical art created over 8,000 years ago by early farming communities in northern Mesopotamia, which features distinct mathematical patterns, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said in a statement on Wednesday.
The study, published in the Journal of World Prehistory, found that the Halafian culture, which existed around 6,200-5,500 BC, adorned fine pottery with depictions of flowers, shrubs, branches, and trees.
These designs were more than decorative as many bowls feature flowers with petal counts that follow geometric sequences, such as 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64.
The researchers said that these sequences reveal early mathematical thinking, explaining that people in these villages likely used this understanding of space and numbers for practical purposes, such as dividing crops fairly among the community.
The team studied 29 archaeological sites and documented hundreds of vegetal motifs. Some were realistic, while others were abstract, but all showed careful planning and symmetry.
The patterns showed that prehistoric people could visualize divisions, sequences, and balance long before writing or formal mathematics existed, according to the statement.
The researchers said this discovery gives new insight into how ancient humans combined creativity, logic, and daily life in ways that still influence how art and math are seen today. ■
