British/European 'Handaxe Sculpture' Symbolizing Traditon / g)swanscmbbif3

Middle Gravels, Swanscombe England, OIS 11, c. 400,000 BP. Pointed Acheulian handaxe of flint with embedded Upper Cretaceous echinoid, Conulus sp. (Left, side view) left edge of handaxe showing side of echinoid; (Right, plan view) oral surface of echinoid at .

Comment: This is the oldest Acheulian object of the British 'Handaxe Sculpture' Symbolizing Tradition (corresponding to the British Pointed Cordiform stone tool tradition) with accepted dating that appears to be crafted to show a combination of thematic elements, in this case, symmetrical biface and echinoid 'core-center'. It may be interpreted as the 'womb-core-sustaining essence' presided over by a female 'Birthgiver' or 'Giver of Life', in other words, what may be called 'the Acheulian Goddess.' There is possibly also one or two human profiles: Right, on left side flaked area, and more vaguely at tip, facing right. As subsequent images evidence, this combination of 'head' and 'womb' within the basic shape of a triangular or cordiform handaxe, is characteristic of the 'Handaxe Sculpture' Symbolizing Tradition.

Illustration © Oakley, K. (1981). Emergence of higher thought 3.0-0.2 Ma B.P. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 292:205-211: fig. 3.