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Perishable material choice indicates symbolic and representational capacities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2025

Elpida Tzafestas Open the ORCID record for Elpida Tzafestas [Opens in a new window]
Elpida Tzafestas*
Affiliation:
Department of History and Philosophy of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University Campus, Ano Ilisia, Athens, Greece [email protected]; http://scholar.uoa.gr/etzafestas/
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

The absence of symbolic material cultural objects in the archaeological record does not prove absence of symbolic cognition. Sometimes perishable materials are selected for symbolic roles, for practical concerns or to indicate a temporary condition. Also some symbolic functions may predate the use of durable materials. Finally, child play and artisan experimentations usually involve cheap and perishable materials. These are symbolic and representational activities that do not leave a material trace.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e19
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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