評論
打印
So what were these ancient -- I mean, they're ancient, they're foreign, but they're at the same time somehow familiar.
因此這些古老的--我是說，它們是古老的，異域的，但同時它們也是我們熟悉的。
What were these artifacts for?
這些人工制品的用途是什么？
The best available answer is that they were literally the earliest known works of art,
已有的最佳答案是它們就是已知最早的藝術品，
practical tools transformed into captivating aesthetic objects,
從實用工具轉變成迷人的審美對象，
contemplated both for their elegant shape and their virtuoso craftsmanship.
它們那優雅的形狀和精湛的工藝讓人凝望深思。
Hand axes mark an evolutionary advance in human history
手斧標志了人類歷史上進化的進步
tools fashioned to function as what Darwinians call "fitness signals"
從實用工具到審美對象就好像達爾文主義者所說的適應性信號，
that is to say, displays that are performances like the peacock's tail,
這就是說，它展示出了類似孔雀尾巴的用途，
except that, unlike hair and feathers, the hand axes are consciously cleverly crafted.
只是與毛發和羽毛不同，手斧是有意識的精巧制品。
Competently made hand axes indicated desirable personal qualities
制作精良的手斧表明了富有魅力的個人品質
intelligence, fine motor control, planning ability, conscientiousness and sometimes access to rare materials.
智力，精細的動作控制，規劃能力，責任心，有時還有能得到稀有材料的能力。
Over tens of thousands of generations, such skills increased the status of those who displayed them
經過千萬代的傳承，這樣的技巧提供了制作者的地位，
and gained a reproductive advantage over the less capable.
并比那些能力較差的人贏得了更多的繁衍后代的優勢。
You know, it's an old line, but it has been shown to work
這是一句很古老的話了，但是現在仍然能起作用
"Why don't you come up to my cave, so I can show you my hand axes?"
“讓我們到我的洞里去，這樣我就能給你看看我的手斧了。”
