page_title: Perforated baton
hierarchical_section_title: Perforated baton
caption_attribution_description: English: Perforated baton with low relief horse, Late Magdalenian, about 12,500 years old From the rockshelter of La Madeleine, Dordogne, France Made from reindeer antler
context_page_description: A perforated baton, also known as bâton percé, is a name given by archaeologists to a particular prehistoric artifact that has been much debated. The name bâtons de commandement was the name first applied to the class of artifacts, but it makes an assumption of function; the name "perforated" or "pierced baton", in French bâton percé, is a more recent term, and is descriptive of form rather than any presumed function.
  Many are decorated with carved or engraved animals, and the most usual explanation of their use is that they were used for straightening spears and arrows, and as spear-throwers.
context_section_description: A perforated baton, also known as bâton percé, is a name given by archaeologists to a particular prehistoric artifact that has been much debated.  The name bâtons de commandement was the name first applied to the class of artifacts, but it makes an assumption of function; the name "perforated" or "pierced baton", in French bâton percé, is a more recent term, and is descriptive of form rather than any presumed function.
  Many are decorated with carved or engraved animals, and the most usual explanation of their use is that they were used for straightening spears and arrows, and as spear-throwers.
caption: Incomplete perforated baton with low relief horse, from Abri de la Madeleine
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