It is a small disc, perhaps between 15 and 20 cm in diameter with a hole in the middle, the purpose of which is 'unknown'. Do you remember the much later Stone Age Chinese bi I wrote about? Also 'purpose unknown'?
It's just a flat disc yet... hmmm.
Before moving on from the Ice Age exhibition there is also the issue of the spear throwers. Like the example below.
And that is my problem. Who wants a fancy-nancy spear thrower like that to go hunting with?
Look at working spear throwers from the peoples that still used them until very recently and though they may be decorated they are mostly pretty basic and made for efficiency. I have often derided the archeologist's ploy of labelling anything they cannot understand as 'ritual', but I would bet that these objects had more to do with status or ritual than chucking spears at mammoths.
Spear throwers are also called atlatl. Isn't that a great word!
WARNING:The above link contains strong language and moderate violence.
There have been some veiled suggestions that I should provide evidence for some of my ideas or shut up, but naturally I have no intention of doing so.
I just throw sticks for dogs to fetch. I'd be a damn fool to fetch the sticks myself.
I have a spade and will at times do some digging, but I'm not going to dig on command, especially in other people's gardens. Don't let that stop you using your own spades though.
I remember reading about some natural-philosophers in the Renaissance who were discussing the purpose of a particular organ in the body, I forget which, using the Aristotelian method and came to a completely wrong conclusion.One that could have been easily put right by some simple dissection or observation.
Their method had proven good enough to last a thousand years so why take the trouble to do any extra work?
I have some sympathy with this attitude.
By the way, I wanted to use 'proved' in the phrase 'had proven good enough' and only put in 'proven' as a sop to the pedants.
It's a bright cold day here with patches of snow still clinging to roofs and pavements. I'd like to be out walking in the country and making atlatl, but will spend the holiday weekend doing mundane chores instead.
A recipe from my forthcoming book Oriental Cooking for the Under Fives.
Make your favourite dal in the usual way (see page 764) only cook for a longer time until the dal becomes thicker and has the consistency of porridge
Warm some chapatis, tortillas or other flat bread.
Mix a tablespoon of sweet mango chutney with a carton of plain yoghurt.
Spread the dal on the flat bread, drizzle with the yogurt then sprinkle with finely chopped fresh chillies.
Carefully roll the still warm flat bread, tuck in the ends and serve.
This is my most popular snack for hungry children.
I call it Rolled Dal.
Yes, I will go a long way for a bad pun.
I heard the New Archbishop of Canterbury on Thought for the Day and thought he sounded more like the Assistant Manager of a Tesco Metro than an Archbishop. As an Atheist I like my Archbishops to be a little more robust and punchy when it comes to broadcasts and sermons. I was also struck by the fact that the Archbishop's crozier looks a lot like a spear thrower.