Acheulean (/ ə ˈ ʃ uː l i ə n /; also Acheulian and Mode II), from the French acheuléen after the type site of Saint-Acheul, is an archaeological industry of stone tool manufacture characterized by the distinctive oval and pear-shaped "hand axes" associated with Homo erectus and derived species such as Homo heidelbergensis.

Jan 27, 2019 · Acheulean handaxes are the oldest and longest-used tools made by human ancestors around 1.76 million years ago. The handaxes came in different shapes and were used mainly as cutting tools or for signaling. Scientists study the handaxe to learn about early human tool-making skills and cultural or genetic transmission.

A hand axe (or handaxe or Acheulean hand axe) is a prehistoric stone tool with two faces that is the longest-used tool in human history. [1] It is made from stone, usually flint or chert that has been "reduced" and shaped from a larger piece by knapping, or hitting against another stone.

Acheulean technology is best characterized by its distinctive stone handaxes. These handaxes are pear shaped, teardrop shaped, or rounded in outline, usually 12–20 cm long and flaked over at least part of the surface of each side (bifacial).

Jan 27, 2025 · The Acheulean period, named after the site of Saint-Acheul in France, spans from approximately 1.76 million to 100,000 years ago. It is characterized by the emergence of the Acheulean handaxe and other sophisticated stone tools, marking a significant advancement in human technology and cognitive abilities.

Jul 5, 2016 · By the 1970s, it had become paradigmatic that the Acheulean, a generic term now used to designate most of the handaxe-bearing assemblages from the Lower and Middle Pleistocene, had originated in East Africa, and that such emergence occurred ca 1.5 Ma.

Nov 6, 2024 · Acheulean Handaxes. The Acheulean handaxe, an iconic tool of the prehistoric past, holds a special place in the study of human evolution and ancient craftsmanship. Its unique design and widespread use make it a fascinating subject for archaeologists and enthusiasts alike. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of Acheulean handaxes ...

Late Acheulean stoneworkers often made handaxes on large flake blanks struck from very large stone cores. Handaxes are the earliest and longest-used ‘designed’ tool in human history, emerging in the archaeological record in Kenya (Kokiselei) and Ethiopia (Konso) ca. 1.75-1.8 million years ago.

Feb 20, 2025 · Acheulean Tool. The Acheulean tool tradition is a significant milestone in human evolution, marking a pivotal era in prehistoric toolmaking. Characterized by its distinctive handaxe designs, this period revolutionized early humans' approach to crafting and utilizing tools, leaving an indelible mark on our species' technological history.

The key artefact type of the Acheulean is the ‘handaxe’, so-named because early researchers thought they were chopping tools that were held in the hand. These objects are bifacial: flaked to two opposite faces from a common platform edge.