Engraved Pebble

Decorated tool

Magdalenian
Around 17 000 years

Commentary : 

Between 17 000 and 14 000 years ago, Magdalenian hunter-gatherers decorated some of their everyday objects. The often fine and subtle decoration of these pebbles, which served as pressure flakers, retouchers or grindstones to crush pigments, probably had several meanings.
The decoration is rendered aesthetically pleasing, by adding a personal touch to a common tool, or by intentionally associating an object, with a theme related to its function.
Finally, the motif could reflect the desire to give a symbolic meaning to a tool, that provides its owner with a series of material benefits.