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So what were these ancient -- I mean, they're ancient, they're foreign, but they're at the same time somehow familiar.
因此这些古老的--我是说，它们是古老的，异域的，但同时它们也是我们熟悉的。
What were these artifacts for?
这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们就是已知最早的艺术品，
practical tools transformed into captivating aesthetic objects,
从实用工具转变成迷人的审美对象，
contemplated both for their elegant shape and their virtuoso craftsmanship.
它们那优雅的形状和精湛的工艺让人凝望深思。
Hand axes mark an evolutionary advance in human history
手斧标志了人类历史上进化的进步
tools fashioned to function as what Darwinians call "fitness signals"
从实用工具到审美对象就好像达尔文主义者所说的适应性信号，
that is to say, displays that are performances like the peacock's tail,
这就是说，它展示出了类似孔雀尾巴的用途，
except that, unlike hair and feathers, the hand axes are consciously cleverly crafted.
只是与毛发和羽毛不同，手斧是有意识的精巧制品。
Competently made hand axes indicated desirable personal qualities
制作精良的手斧表明了富有魅力的个人品质
intelligence, fine motor control, planning ability, conscientiousness and sometimes access to rare materials.
智力，精细的动作控制，规划能力，责任心，有时还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
经过千万代的传承，这样的技巧提供了制作者的地位，
and gained a reproductive advantage over the less capable.
并比那些能力较差的人赢得了更多的繁衍后代的优势。
You know, it's an old line, but it has been shown to work
这是一句很古老的话了，但是现在仍然能起作用
"Why don't you come up to my cave, so I can show you my hand axes?"
“让我们到我的洞里去，这样我就能给你看看我的手斧了。”
