ABSTRACT
The symmetry of Acheulean bifaces has been the focus of much controversy. This controversy has intensified with the discovery of increasing numbers of symmetrical handaxes from various archaeological horizons. Whether such discoveries can inform us about the cognitive profile of their makers is still a provocative question. Nevertheless, some progress has been achieved thanks to developments in neuroscience and associated disciplines. In this chapter, I present evidence that reinforces the importance of symmetry for understanding cognitive evolution, but, more than this, I show how the ability to comprehend geometry not only is crucial for making handaxes but also led to the ability to produce the first non-functional marks. I contend that, in both scenarios, an aesthetic propensity was an essential prerequisite.
