"The oldest mathematical object known to humankind...", an exaggerated claim ?
Itís up to you to decide... here are two examples:
Three notches have been made at the top of the bone.
This is followed by 6 notches, four then eight.
This points to a knowledge of multiplication by 2 !
Adding together the number of notches in each ę column Ľ gives the following totals : 60, 48 and 60. All multiples of 12.
It is hard to believe this a pure coincidence.
And donít forget... this object is older than the Lascaux cave paintings...