Le Bâton de Commandement

Summary

J. Whittaker: [Odd article, not very useful. Begins with irrelevant and muddled rant on failure of science to recognize art and the subjective.] By labeling baton de commandement a "magic" object, its function was ignored. Not magic, not shaft straightener. Early cave art (Altamira) static, while later (Lascaux) dynamic, reflecting new weapon: baton as spear thrower. Holes comparable to grips on Eskimo versions, but Eskimo are wood, cruder, throw larger spear. [Illustrations show his reconstructions and possible grips. They probably would work at least some, but he added hooks for which there is no evidence, especially given that we do have clear and quite different Upper Paleolithic atlatls. It is not clear that he really experimented effectively or knows much about atlatls.]

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 10218

Notes

Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.