MP Gallery - Markings, Signs, Graphemes; e) tata100bordes39rb7

Middle Paleolithic symbol makers appear to have innovated a new grapheme, the 'cross' or 'X' mark motif. Examples include:

• Tata, Hungary, Quina Mousterian, Useries c 100,000 BP; cross on both sides of circular silicified fossil nummulite disk,, a natural crack crossed at right angle by engraved line (Vértes 1964; Marshack 1991)
• Blombos Cave, Stillbay, Layer CC, TL 77,000 BP, OSL 70,000; 9 pieces of ochre potentially engraved with geometric signs; 2 engraved with iterative strokes and/or 'X' s or 'crosshatch'

The example from Tata is shown below.

It may be considered a combination of X plus circle, and as taking a natural diametric crack, a 'broken line', that cuts or divides the circle and then crossing it, restoring a fourfold whole, it might have been intended to signify reparation of a breaking of law, custom, taboo; recuperation, reconciliation, restoration of wholeness, healing, health.

Photo © François Bordes. Bordes, F. 1968. The old stone age. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. Figure 39.

Illustration © Robert Bednarik. Bednarik, R. (1995). Concept-mediated marking in the Lower Paleolithic. Current Anthropology 36,4:605-634; figure 5.