Bâton de commandement
Encyclopedia
A bâton de commandement, bâton percé or perforated baton is a name given by archaeologists to a particular prehistoric artifact
of uncertain function. The name bâtons de commandement was the name first applied to the class of artifacts, but it makes an assumption of function; the name bâton percé, meaning "pierced rod", or "perforated baton" (the term used by the British Museum
) is a more recent term, and is descriptive of form rather than any presumed function.
with a round hole made in one end, and often have abstract or animal designs etched into them. They have been found at Aurignacian
and Magdelanian sites of the Upper Palaeolithic in Europe
, with examples dating from 23,000 to 12,000 years ago. They have a joint at one end, often forming a T or Y shape, but always with a swelling of the antler at that end. There is a circular hole drilled through the antler just below the swelling or joint. Typical examples range from 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in length.
The purpose of the bâton percé was originally thought to be as a symbol of power or status, hence the early name bâton de commandement, or rod of command. Other interpretations include:
, similar to the later atlatl
, has been the subject of experimental archeology which has yielded evidence in support of the hypothesis
that the bâton percé was used as a spear thrower. The British Museum "scope note" for "Perforated baton" says in 2011: "They are now understood to [be] implements used in the manufacture and throwing of spears."
The spear thrower hypothesis was first put forward in a scathing article by artist Leon Underwood
in 1965. In this, Underwood, who had previously engaged in experimental archeology working with bronze artifacts, rejects the archeology community's classification of the bâton percé as a "magic wand", and draws comparisons between it and more contemporary Eskimo
spear throwers. Underwood's hypothesis was that the existing samples of the bâton percé were in poor shape, and may have been missing a hook, such as that found on the Eskimo spear thrower and the atlatl. Underwood built two wooden models, based on different bâton percé in museum collections, but with the addition of a 'nipple' or hook to the end of the shaft opposite the hole. These reproductions were compared against Eskimo designs, and were found to offer superior performance when throwing fletched spears; Underwood pointed out that the Eskimo throwers, built using driftwood, were necessarily weaker and that the design reflected the available materials.
In another experiment, the bâton percé was used in the other orientation, held so that the end with the hole was outwards, and no hook was added. In this series of tests, a 60 inch (1.5 m) long, 1500 grain (97 g) fletch
ed spear was used. To use the bâton percé as a spear thrower, a length of cord is attached to the spear, near the middle of the spear. Leather
would be suitable for lighter spears, while sinew would be required for heavier spears. The addition of the cord turns the spear in to a large Swiss arrow
. Using the spear thus equipped as a Swiss arrow resulted in a 43% increase in range, compared to a hand thrown spear.
The bâton percé is used by feeding the cord through the hole, and laying the cord along the length of the shaft. The bâton percé is held in the hand, with the solid end held in the hand near the pinkie, and the pierced end emerging from the other end of the fist. The loose end of the cord is grasped between thumb and forefinger, and the spear is laid along the bâton percé. The spear may be twisted up to one and a half turns, which serves to stabilize the spear during the throw. The bâton percé is held over the shoulder, and thrown overhand. The length of the bâton percé serves to increase the thrower's leverage, providing more speed, and the cord acts as it does in a Swiss arrow, extending the leverage further. Use of the bâton percé in this way results in a 127% increase in range over the same hand-thrown spear.
While the T or Y shape is not required for use as a spear thrower, an example with a T or Y shape is less sensitive to the direction and amount of twist in the cord, and thus easier to use. Used in the method described, even the bâton percé's hole can be dispensed with, though the resulting spear thrower would be far more difficult to load and use.
The cord used works well when it is long enough that about 8 inches (20 cm) of cord extends from the hole of the bâton percé to the knot on the spear. Longer cords, up to 12 inches (30 cm) may provide higher velocities. Cord attachment points can vary from the middle of the spear to the center of mass
, depending on the length, and a significantly front-heavy spear works best.
The spear should be long enough to project about a foot (30 cm) in front of the bâton percé when ready to throw. When using a long spear, a longer bâton percé can also be used, though a short version works as well. The longer bâton percé may provide additional velocity over the shorter version.
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
of uncertain function. The name bâtons de commandement was the name first applied to the class of artifacts, but it makes an assumption of function; the name bâton percé, meaning "pierced rod", or "perforated baton" (the term used by the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
) is a more recent term, and is descriptive of form rather than any presumed function.
Description
Bâtons percés are made from a length of antlerAntler
Antlers are the usually large, branching bony appendages on the heads of most deer species.-Etymology:Antler originally meant the lowest tine, the "brow tine"...
with a round hole made in one end, and often have abstract or animal designs etched into them. They have been found at Aurignacian
Aurignacian
The Aurignacian culture is an archaeological culture of the Upper Palaeolithic, located in Europe and southwest Asia. It lasted broadly within the period from ca. 45,000 to 35,000 years ago in terms of conventional radiocarbon dating, or between ca. 47,000 and 41,000 years ago in terms of the most...
and Magdelanian sites of the Upper Palaeolithic in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, with examples dating from 23,000 to 12,000 years ago. They have a joint at one end, often forming a T or Y shape, but always with a swelling of the antler at that end. There is a circular hole drilled through the antler just below the swelling or joint. Typical examples range from 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in length.
The purpose of the bâton percé was originally thought to be as a symbol of power or status, hence the early name bâton de commandement, or rod of command. Other interpretations include:
- A symbol of fertility, with the long handle as a male phallic symbol, and the hole as representing the vagina
- An arrowArrowAn arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
or spearSpearA spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head.The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as flint, obsidian, iron, steel or...
straightener, with the shaft to be straightened passing through the hole - A dress fastener
- A calendar used by midwives
- A spear thrower
The spear thrower hypothesis
The use of the bâton percé as a spear-throwerSpear-thrower
An Atlatl or spear thrower is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in throwing light spears or darts, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to temporarily store energy during the throw....
, similar to the later atlatl
Atlatl
An atlatl or spear-thrower is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart-throwing.It consists of a shaft with a cup or a spur at the end that supports and propels the butt of the dart. The atlatl is held in one hand, gripped near the end farthest from the cup...
, has been the subject of experimental archeology which has yielded evidence in support of the hypothesis
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, ὑποτιθέναι – hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". For a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it...
that the bâton percé was used as a spear thrower. The British Museum "scope note" for "Perforated baton" says in 2011: "They are now understood to [be] implements used in the manufacture and throwing of spears."
The spear thrower hypothesis was first put forward in a scathing article by artist Leon Underwood
Leon Underwood
Leon Underwood "The precursor of modern sculpture in Britain" was a noted British sculptor, painter, draughtsman and engraver as well as a writer and illustrator, scholar, teacher, philosopher and stained glass and furniture craftsman...
in 1965. In this, Underwood, who had previously engaged in experimental archeology working with bronze artifacts, rejects the archeology community's classification of the bâton percé as a "magic wand", and draws comparisons between it and more contemporary Eskimo
Eskimo
Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
spear throwers. Underwood's hypothesis was that the existing samples of the bâton percé were in poor shape, and may have been missing a hook, such as that found on the Eskimo spear thrower and the atlatl. Underwood built two wooden models, based on different bâton percé in museum collections, but with the addition of a 'nipple' or hook to the end of the shaft opposite the hole. These reproductions were compared against Eskimo designs, and were found to offer superior performance when throwing fletched spears; Underwood pointed out that the Eskimo throwers, built using driftwood, were necessarily weaker and that the design reflected the available materials.
In another experiment, the bâton percé was used in the other orientation, held so that the end with the hole was outwards, and no hook was added. In this series of tests, a 60 inch (1.5 m) long, 1500 grain (97 g) fletch
Fletching
Fletching is the aerodynamic stabilization of arrows or darts with materials such as feathers, each piece of which is referred to as a fletch. The word is related to the French word flèche, meaning "arrow," via Old French; the ultimate root is Frankish fliukka...
ed spear was used. To use the bâton percé as a spear thrower, a length of cord is attached to the spear, near the middle of the spear. Leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
would be suitable for lighter spears, while sinew would be required for heavier spears. The addition of the cord turns the spear in to a large Swiss arrow
Swiss arrow
A Swiss arrow is a weapon similar to an arrow but thrown rather than shot from a bow , with the addition of a small notch close to the fletching....
. Using the spear thus equipped as a Swiss arrow resulted in a 43% increase in range, compared to a hand thrown spear.
The bâton percé is used by feeding the cord through the hole, and laying the cord along the length of the shaft. The bâton percé is held in the hand, with the solid end held in the hand near the pinkie, and the pierced end emerging from the other end of the fist. The loose end of the cord is grasped between thumb and forefinger, and the spear is laid along the bâton percé. The spear may be twisted up to one and a half turns, which serves to stabilize the spear during the throw. The bâton percé is held over the shoulder, and thrown overhand. The length of the bâton percé serves to increase the thrower's leverage, providing more speed, and the cord acts as it does in a Swiss arrow, extending the leverage further. Use of the bâton percé in this way results in a 127% increase in range over the same hand-thrown spear.
Experimental observations
Most bâton percé examples are curved to some degree, either from the natural curve of the antler from which they are made, or as the result of deliberate alteration. Straight or curved handles both produce similar gains in range, but the experimenters found that curved handles provided better ergonomics than a straight handle, with left-handed throwers preferring one direction of curve, and right-handed throwers preferring the other. Straight handles had the advantage of being usable by both left and right-handed throwers.While the T or Y shape is not required for use as a spear thrower, an example with a T or Y shape is less sensitive to the direction and amount of twist in the cord, and thus easier to use. Used in the method described, even the bâton percé's hole can be dispensed with, though the resulting spear thrower would be far more difficult to load and use.
The cord used works well when it is long enough that about 8 inches (20 cm) of cord extends from the hole of the bâton percé to the knot on the spear. Longer cords, up to 12 inches (30 cm) may provide higher velocities. Cord attachment points can vary from the middle of the spear to the center of mass
Center of mass
In physics, the center of mass or barycenter of a system is the average location of all of its mass. In the case of a rigid body, the position of the center of mass is fixed in relation to the body...
, depending on the length, and a significantly front-heavy spear works best.
The spear should be long enough to project about a foot (30 cm) in front of the bâton percé when ready to throw. When using a long spear, a longer bâton percé can also be used, though a short version works as well. The longer bâton percé may provide additional velocity over the shorter version.