Symbols and paleolithic artifacts: Style, standardization, and the imposition of arbitrary form

Abstract

One of the main problems in the study of human behavioral evolution is to identify the beginnings of the habitual creation and use of symbols. This study investigates the theoretical issues involved in inferring symboling in a Middle or Lower Paleolithic context from three aspects of artifact manufacture—style, imposition of arbitrary form, and standardization. Because any of these phenomena can result from nonsymbolic behavior, none can be used alone to infer symbolic behavior.