October 2016 PMID 26800014

The Acheulean handaxe: More like a bird's song than a beatles' tune?

Raymond Corbey, Adam Jagich, Krist Vaesen, Mark Collard

Mentions

10
Peak: 1 in May 2021
across 5 sources since May 2021

Extended reach

222,745
potential audience

Total likes

8,242

Video views

217,008

Mentions per month

May 2021 – Dec 2024

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • News2 articles
  • Blogs2 articles
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The comments demonstrate a general curiosity about the influences behind Acheulean handaxes, with some suggesting a genetic basis and others contemplating their symbolic use. The tone varies from speculative to mildly analytical, reflecting interest but not extensive engagement or debate about the publication’s claims.

AgreementModerate agreement

Some comments reflect understanding and slight agreement with the notion that handaxes may have been influenced by genetic factors, as seen in the curiosity about whether these artifacts were 'symbolic' or more innate.

InterestModerate interest

The posts show moderate interest, with participants engaging in discussions about human evolution, cultural significance, and possible biological influences behind artifact creation.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants exhibit a basic level of engagement by referencing related concepts like Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis, but lack deep analysis or critical debate.

ImpactNeutral impact

The overall influence of these discussions appears limited, as they mainly provoke curiosity without leading to concrete conclusions or widespread controversy.

Abstract in brief

  • The paper challenges the common belief among archaeologists that Acheulean handaxes are purely cultural artifacts learned through social interaction, questioning this assumption based on available evidence.
  • It proposes an alternative idea that the shape and form of these handaxes might have been influenced by genetic factors, not just cultural learning.
  • The authors aim to spark debate about whether Acheulean handaxes are better understood as cultural objects or as products of genetic predisposition, comparing their variation to a bird's song rather than a consistent musical tune.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
anaryl
@anaryl · X

@skippywhiteside There's a reason papers say everything that they say. https://t.co/XSGhoj2kGb https://t.co/fdwhoiHOzY https://t.co/xzIdBNgU52 https://t.co/2YKxuS84V4 https://t.co/KQP7bZLjaR https://t.co/pBChCXnU34 https://t.co/xzIdBNgU52

Jun 8, 2023 · 1 like · 811 followers View post →
Christopher John Gwynne Knowles
@Christo66474781 · X

The acheulean handaxe: More like a bird's song than a beatles' tune? https://t.co/gIZUjAZJ9k

Feb 1, 2023 · 1 like · 808 followers View post →
#TheSpiderHunter - Black History Is Important!
@Arthur59611540 · X

Homo heidelbergensis and the Muddle in the Middle https://t.co/4QTkXmACun via @YouTube

Nov 8, 2022 · 4,119 followers View post →
The Kryptoterrestrial
@kryptoterrestrial.bsky.social · Bluesky

Widespread use by humans for over a million years? I wonder if they were simply symbolic by the end. Also makes it easier to see how h erectus wasn’t really like us in important ways #paleo youtu.be/0UnJIf_WTQs?...

Dec 15, 2024 View post →

All mentions

The Kryptoterrestrial
@kryptoterrestrial.bsky.social · Bluesky

Widespread use by humans for over a million years? I wonder if they were simply symbolic by the end. Also makes it easier to see how h erectus wasn’t really like us in important ways #paleo youtu.be/0UnJIf_WTQs?...

Dec 15, 2024 View post →
anaryl
@anaryl · X

@skippywhiteside There's a reason papers say everything that they say. https://t.co/XSGhoj2kGb https://t.co/fdwhoiHOzY https://t.co/xzIdBNgU52 https://t.co/2YKxuS84V4 https://t.co/KQP7bZLjaR https://t.co/pBChCXnU34 https://t.co/xzIdBNgU52

Jun 8, 2023 · 1 like · 811 followers View post →
Christopher John Gwynne Knowles
@Christo66474781 · X

The acheulean handaxe: More like a bird's song than a beatles' tune? https://t.co/gIZUjAZJ9k

Feb 1, 2023 · 1 like · 808 followers View post →
#TheSpiderHunter - Black History Is Important!
@Arthur59611540 · X

Homo heidelbergensis and the Muddle in the Middle https://t.co/4QTkXmACun via @YouTube

Nov 8, 2022 · 4,119 followers View post →