Final answer:
The Blombos Cave in South Africa is dated between 70,000 to 100,000 years old and has unveiled significant artifacts indicating early Homo sapiens were capable of creating symbolic art, particularly through engraved ochre.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Blombos Cave, located on the southern-most tip of South Africa, has been dated to be between 70,000 to 100,000 years old. The cave has yielded remarkable artifacts such as engraved ochre, stone tools, shell bead necklaces, and bones with various markings signifying symbolic art from early Homo sapiens. The ochre, in particular, with its abstract patterns, suggests that our ancestors were capable of symbolic art and complex cognitive development. These discoveries have caused a paradigm shift in our understanding of human behavior, pushing back the date for the creation of symbolic and abstract artwork.