Increase in symbolic artifacts after 45,000 years ago is not a consequence of taphonomic processes

Researchers have long been aware of an apparently rapid increase ∼40–45,000 BP in the frequency of “symbolic” artifacts in the Old World paleolithic record. However, some hypothesize that if not for taphonomic loss the data would instead show a gradual increase in such artifacts’ frequency during the Middle Stone Age/Middle Paleolithic. We test this hypothesis by correcting the record for taphonomic bias. We find that even after correction, the ∼40–45,000 BP peak remains with no prior gradual increase. However, analysis also suggests this peak may be a product of research bias. We note small peaks in symbolic artifact production at ∼65,000, 75,000, and 115–120,000 BP, although these too might be a product of research bias. We end with a discussion of how symbolic artifact production might be expected to wax and wane as a function of adaptive pressures. This points to the importance of understanding the effects of taphonomic and research bias.

Rapid increase in production of symbolic artifacts after 45,000 years ago is not a consequence of taphonomic bias
Robert L. Kelly, Madeline E. Mackie, Andrew W. Kandel