More like ogham markings, but the excavator looks like he’s onto something with the idea that someone was keeping track of something (days, rains, something). OTOH, Ciexyz may be onto something, despite the lack of metal at that time.
” - - - this artifact is made of siliceous limestone - - - “
This lithology will be softer than a marker that is pure chert (flint), or a marker that is pure quartz. All of these potential markers are commonly found associated with silicious limestone.
The relatively uniform width of the markings is consistent with a marking tool that does not wear significantly from start to finish of a marking, or marking to marking. Thus, the marking tool has a hardness greater than a limestone with up to 99.999 % Silica.
The small size of the marked stone could have been easily carried in the hand of the individual.
Uses, without more information on the wear patterns of the rock, are best treated as speculations.
BTW, why did it take 32 years for the Chinese to get around to publishing this paper?
BTW, BTW, what is the stratigraphic, weathered rind, or “other” evidence that the 30KYBP dating is based upon?