Could this be Habilis? The handyman that started a trend.
There is a nice opportunity to introduce a new stone and also remind that we have found at least seven archaic profiles on the stone on the left. The profiles spiral and then continue on the other side of the stone. Above, the stone we are focused on is on the left. With new eyes, one can already start seeing more profiles. For now we are starting with what may be the more archaic profile found on the other side of the stone.
I have been watching this profile for a while. This face reoccurs in other totem stones as well. His small nose stands out among all the other larger nosed humans. His jaw too extends out. Here in this rendering he appears happy and energetic. I know this is a leap for some, and I may be wrong, but I am associating this profile with the archaic human Homo habilis. I am not suggesting that homo habilis was directly involved with the making of this particular stone artifact. What I am suggesting is that the maker of the stone had knowledge of this species of archaic human and his contributions. The totem design itself is very ancient, and evolved with the manmade tool. As the human began creating an array of tools and tool technology expanded, embellishments were created to provide instruction of function and standardization.
The artist here understood the use of composition and design to lead the viewer. Using that understanding of composition to view and interpret art, will help us in our observations. With different techniques like lines, to actual characters pointing where to look, the artist leads the viewer. By allowing the artist to lead us, we may uncover some keys that will unlock the of secrets held in the totem design. This observational study will hopefully assist finding how this archaic character is connected to the totem.
When looking at the habilis character, there appears to be a skull cap associated with him. This skull cap, highlighted in light blue, appears to sit on his head like a helmet. On the lateral, outer edges, there are semi-round, concave, serrated scrapers designed into the skull cap. So far I have been able to use my own photography, but finding a skull cap in the state of Maine has not happened. Maine is also a hostile place, even for rocks and bones.
This is a good point to take a moment to review the stone without highlighting. It is important to share this new way of seeing and allow the viewer to see for themselves. There is a hope that this capacity is available to everyone interested. By gaining this capacity to see this information, everyone can part take in finding the timeline in their own geographical area. Please take a moment and review in your mind as you study the original image.
Using our new way of seeing we can start noticing that here is a lot going on here. There is a richness in the variety of marks on the surface. One can see stippling, hatching, and crosshatching throughout the surface. Through the layering of these techniques the artist creates different values and tones to the natural hue of the bone. As in all manmade tools from these genre, it comes embellished with information.
The entire shape of this tool starts to echo the shapes of the other megafauna animals such as the mammoth, beaver, bear, sloth, cat, etc. At times these forms require one to brush up on their knowledge of the megafauna of the ice age. The layering of animals can get a little confusing. I have found these artist to have an excellent understanding of anatomy. It is most helpful to know eye placement of different animals. Once the viewer starts picking up the technique used by the artist to render the eyes of different animals, the viewer can start looking for additional totem characters. By spying the eyes, one can start identifying the corresponding human or animal in the design. Here below I have included hints of mammoth. Another interesting item is the human pointing out the tusk of the animal. This is also a common depiction and will be explored in the future.
The concave scraper allowed for the straightening of sticks through scraping down the outer surface until the preferred diameter of shaft. A pointed straight stick can come handy for hunting and self protection. A straight shaft is also a guaranteed to have a better flight path. The use of a skull cap helmet may also come in handy as protection from flying predators such as Teratornis or the jaws of the great cats. In the following images we will go back to the original totem stone and see where the totem artist takes us next.
Picking up on patterns has been a driving force to look for a clock, calendar, or time line. There is a pattern occurring. Hopefully by cataloging stones will solidify the pattern. There are many interlocking characters and images. One point of intersection is the nose of the profile of each totem characters will become the elbow of the full figure of that particular totem. Usually that full character will be in full regalia of their culture. Above the habilis looks cozy with a bear. He appears to wear some decorative items around his ears and head. He appears to have some animal furs around him. I have also picked up a pattern of habilis sitting often with his legs crossed. He reminds me of the professor type sitting doing a crossword on a Saturday morning and looking at me from over his reading glasses. The habilis is sitting at the head of the table on the totem stone.
Each Totem archetype will have a series representing the aging process. The profile will shift from birth to death. There is a hint of this process here as the habilis goes from demonstrating how to survive the coldest times hanging with the cave bear to a female nursing her young. I will definitely revisit the life cycle. For now I will focus on presenting the full body that develops from the nose of each profile.
There seems to be reference to another profile with habilis as first on the totem. If there is a chronological series, the longer nosed profile with a strong chin appears to simultaneously occupying the same space. This idea of simultaneous presences was not anticipated but makes sense if these two characters were coexisting.
I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am. With each turn of the stone, one discovers something new. It fills the heart. The information is reaching us from so long ago, through an item actually held by the human that recorded the material. It is thrilling and inexpensive. One only needs their favorite rock from the garden and the rising sun. I hope you continue to follow along. Thank you for looking.
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