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"bâton percé" with horse engraving

unknownc. 15,000 BC

Royal Ontario Museum

Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto, Canada

These enigmatic objects first described by French archaeologists were originally thought to be marks of status - a "bâton de commandement". Although the term used by modern French archaeologists - the "pierced rod" is now descriptive, the function is most likely thought to be an atlal, or spear-thrower. But still, no-one is really sure!

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  • Title: "bâton percé" with horse engraving
  • Creator: unknown
  • Date: c. 15,000 BC
  • Location: Le Soucy, Dordogne, France
  • Physical Dimensions: w3.1 x d1.2 cm
  • Type: Baton
  • Rights: Royal Ontario Museum
  • Medium: Reindeer antler, carved, drilled, and engraved
  • Time period: Magdalenian of Upper Palaeolithic period
  • Length: 10.5
  • Accession Number: 929.29.495
Royal Ontario Museum

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