ABSTRACT
[Abstract: The existence of design or “imposed form” in stone tools has been nominated as a distinctive derived feature of comparatively evolved hominins, while other aspects of alleged design have been identified as potential indicators of specific cognitive functions. This chapter begins with a consideration of what constitutes design, concluding that current approaches are overly narrow. An expanded definition of design to include raw material as well as anticipated artefact life history provides a richer perspective on the phenomenon. Review of literature shows shifting emphasis on different elements of artefact design over the course of the Pleistocene, reflecting changes in artefact function, cognition, and the strategic organization of stone artefact production.]
