Pattern Recognition of Universal Mathematical Constants in Acheulean Biface Formats

Abstract

Abstract:The similar design formats of many Acheulean bifaces has prompted several studies into the use of 'mental templates', leading to controversial claims that there may be a relation between length and width equal to the Golden Ratio. To avoid subjectivity, these studies have used aggregate data from assemblages that, by definition, mask the individuality of each tool, its material, any retouching and the original imposed design. Visual pattern recognition is widely used in psychological research and some branches of engineering and a similar technique is presented to highlight the formats of two samples of the Boxgrove assemblage (one random) and examine the presence of universal mathematical constants. A probabilistic analysis suggests that the repeated use of the numbers 2, Pi and Phi and the relationship between them could not have been produced by chance. These relationships appear to be constant over very long time periods and are still used today in modern gemstone design.

The handaxe reconsidered

“…These show, for instance, that Acheulean handaxes have a characteristic tip thinning about 80% of the way from the butt to the tip. We also note that again and again the typical or average breadth‐length proportion of Acheulean handaxes has turned out to be 0.61, which is not so for later bifaces, even those of the Mousterian in Europe …”