22nd March 2025 (35 Topics)
Acheulean Technology
Context
For the first time, a collection of Acheulean tools—hand axes, thin-edged axes, and large stone knives—has been discovered in China’s Central Plains region at the Wenquan Paleolithic site (Ruzhou, Henan Province). This fills a major gap in our understanding of the Paleolithic cultural development in this region.
What is Acheulean Technology?
- Acheulean technology refers to a stone tool-making tradition used by early humans between 7 million and 150,000 years ago.
- It marked a major improvement over earlier, simpler tools from the Oldowan culture.
- Acheulean Sites
- Africa: Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania), Konso (Ethiopia)
- India: Didwana (Rajasthan), Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh), Hunsgi (Karnataka)
- Europe & Asia: Boxgrove (UK), Zhoukoudian (China)
- Key Features of Acheulean Tools:
- Handaxes: Large, almond-shaped, and often pointed tools used for cutting, chopping, and digging.
- More Advanced Techniques: Unlike Oldowan tools (which were simple sharp flakes), Acheulean tools required precise shaping and symmetry.
- Used by Homo Erectus & Early Homo Sapiens: Acheulean tools were made by more advanced human ancestors, showing their improving cognitive skills.
Stone Tools in India’s Human History
|
Period |
Tools & Technology |
Key Sites |
|
Lower Palaeolithic (600,000 – 150,000 BCE) |
Hand axes, cleavers, choppers |
Bori (Maharashtra), Son & Sohan valleys (Punjab), Didwana (Rajasthan), Bhimbetka (MP) |
|
Middle Palaeolithic (150,000 – 35,000 BCE) |
Flakes, blades, points, scrapers |
Narmada valley, Belan valley (UP), Tungabhadra region (South India) |
|
Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BCE) |
Blades, burins, refined tools |
Bhimbetka (MP), Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat sand dunes |
|
Mesolithic Age (9000 – 4000 BCE) |
Microliths (tiny, composite tools) |
Bagor (Rajasthan), Adamgarh (MP), South of Krishna River |
|
Neolithic Age (7000 – 5500 BCE) |
Polished stone axes, rectangular axes |
Mehrgarh (Balochistan), Burzahom (Kashmir), Gufkral (Kashmir), Senuwar (Bihar) |
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