Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formats
The similar design formats of many Acheulean bifaces has prompted several studies into the use of ‘mental templates’, leading to controversial claims that there may be a relation between length and width equal to the Golden Ratio. To avoid subjectivity, these studies have used aggregate data from as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Edinburgh
2015-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Lithic Studies |
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| Online Access: | http://journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudies/article/view/1182 |
| _version_ | 1797735936453246976 |
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| author | Alan Edward Cannell |
| author_facet | Alan Edward Cannell |
| author_sort | Alan Edward Cannell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The similar design formats of many Acheulean bifaces has prompted several studies into the use of ‘mental templates’, leading to controversial claims that there may be a relation between length and width equal to the Golden Ratio. To avoid subjectivity, these studies have used aggregate data from assemblages that, by definition, mask the individuality of each tool, its material, any retouching and the original imposed design. Visual pattern recognition is widely used in psychological research and some branches of engineering and a similar technique is presented to highlight the formats of two samples of the Boxgrove assemblage (one random) and examine the presence of universal mathematical constants. A probabilistic analysis suggests that the repeated use of the numbers 2, Pi and Phi and the relationship between them could not have been produced by chance. These relationships appear to be constant over very long time periods and are still used today in modern gemstone design. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:06:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5dcfcef7e0ce4d348d5938096cbef4cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-0472 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:06:19Z |
| publishDate | 2015-03-01 |
| publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Lithic Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-5dcfcef7e0ce4d348d5938096cbef4cb2023-08-28T14:27:58ZengUniversity of EdinburghJournal of Lithic Studies2055-04722015-03-0121174410.2218/jls.v2i1.11821182Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formatsAlan Edward Cannell0Independent Researcher Owner Director Transcraft Engineering Curitiba, ParanaThe similar design formats of many Acheulean bifaces has prompted several studies into the use of ‘mental templates’, leading to controversial claims that there may be a relation between length and width equal to the Golden Ratio. To avoid subjectivity, these studies have used aggregate data from assemblages that, by definition, mask the individuality of each tool, its material, any retouching and the original imposed design. Visual pattern recognition is widely used in psychological research and some branches of engineering and a similar technique is presented to highlight the formats of two samples of the Boxgrove assemblage (one random) and examine the presence of universal mathematical constants. A probabilistic analysis suggests that the repeated use of the numbers 2, Pi and Phi and the relationship between them could not have been produced by chance. These relationships appear to be constant over very long time periods and are still used today in modern gemstone design.http://journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudies/article/view/1182acheuleanbifacegeometryformatmathematical constantaesthetics |
| spellingShingle | Alan Edward Cannell Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formats Journal of Lithic Studies acheulean biface geometry format mathematical constant aesthetics |
| title | Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formats |
| title_full | Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formats |
| title_fullStr | Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formats |
| title_short | Pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in Acheulean biface formats |
| title_sort | pattern recognition of universal mathematical constants in acheulean biface formats |
| topic | acheulean biface geometry format mathematical constant aesthetics |
| url | http://journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudies/article/view/1182 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alanedwardcannell patternrecognitionofuniversalmathematicalconstantsinacheuleanbifaceformats |