Paleolithic semiotics: Behavioral analogs to speech in acheulean sites

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2019

Abstract

This chapter explores the material evidence which reflects non-linguistic behavior that is similar to linguistic behavior. Through the use of these kinds of evidence, it is possible to look for traces of meaningfulness in the Lower Paleolithic, even if precise meanings cannot be identified. Assemblages termed Lower Acheulean usually consist of opportunistic tools, -which were used once or twice, and then discarded. However, some early Acheulean tools, particularly bifaces, have a repeated and deliberate shape, although imperfectly realized. Sites containing the remains of habitations yield further evidence of classification, a distinction between space within the dwellings and space outside the dwellings. The inhabitants of Bilzingsleben classified activities, people, raw materials and space, and the classification of other domains can be read in the classification of space. The development of a discourse may take place along two different semantic lines: one topic may lead to another either through their similarity or through their contiguity.

DOI

10.4324/9780429312311-5

Publication Title

The Life of Symbols

First Page

63

Last Page

79

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