It consists of part of the shaft of a reindeer antler, perforated by drilling and often decorated with engraved or sculpted animals. Hypotheses about the purpose of these objects range from identification as symbols of leadership to spear-shaft straighteners, to handles for slings, to cheek pieces for bridle bits, to tent pegs. The answer remains elusive. A pierced baton of reindeer antler, with engraving of the forequarters of a horse in profile from the Magdalenian site of Bruniquel, France. A pierced baton with four large-headed horses.on side visible, and three on the other from the Magdalenian site of La Madeleine, France.
Horses are the most frequent theme on pierced batons.
There is a sculpted deer head around the broken hole at right as well as three sculpted human figures, one apparently holding a bow aimed at a sculpted aurochs. This Magdalenian object is from the site of La Vache in the French Pyrenees. A pierced baton engraved with what are perhaps vegetal figures from the Magdalenian site of La Peyzie, France.