Typo-technological and functional identification of the tools belonging to the lower Palaeolithic cultural phase

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1 Course Name: PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGY Paper No. & Title: B.A. / B.Sc. (Honours) 4 TH Semester (Practical) Topic No. & Title: (17/17) Typo-technological and functional identification of the tools belonging to the lower Palaeolithic cultural phase Introduction: Typo- Technology primarily indicates the study the types of the tool (Typology) and the study of the different but associated tool making techniques. In this present module we should discuss on the typology and technology of the tools belonging to the Lower Palaeolithic Cultural Phase along with its functional classifications. In our previous theory classes we have already discussed on the different types of tools belonging to different Stone Age cultural stages along with their manufacturing techniques. Here our main focus is on the typology, technology and functional classification of the tools of Lower Palaeolithic Cultural stage only.

2 Typo-Technology (Typology and Technology) As stated above, it is the study of different types of tool. It has an intimate relationship with the knapping of prehistoric lithic artrifacts. Therefore, both typology and technology, in turn depend though to a lesser degree on the type of raw material ( rock type) available to a given community of prehistoric time. For example, a heavy duty tool, chopper or chopping could not be manufactured by punching or fluting technique. Similarly these techniques could not possibly be applied to hard and coarse grained rocks like qartzite. Thus it is logical t o expect an assemblage or industries of more or less similar kind of tools in archaeological salvage from a given place/site, and different typologies would characterize different environments and needs. The study of typologies of different prehistoric tools is mainly aimed at establishing the different tool making techniques practised by prehistoric people at different region/areas in the initial stages of this cultural development. The typological study helps us to identify the diffusion, contact and migration of different traditions of prehistoric cultures. It should, in no way, mean that all the tools found from all over the world have to conform to any of these defined typologies. It is mainly because of the fact that prehistoric man knapped the lithic tools according to their plan and necessities without having anything to do with our attempt of defining some common kinds. As a consequence of it, there are many stylistic variation noted within a typology, and as a rule, they are described on the basis of their specific peculiarities. To justify it, let us see an example of it. Say, the term hand axe stands for a defined typology, but within this (typology), there are many stylistic variations like Pyriform hand axe, Cordate hand axe/cordiform or heart-shaped hand axe, Micoquian hand axe etc. Before we start with the definitions of various typologies, it is important to note that many cultures with characteristic tools have, in course of time, developed almost typolocal meaning, like the Abbevilian hand axe or Acheulian hand axe etc. Such terms are not unusual to come across such expressions in the archaeological literature in India. It would, therefore, be worthwhile to describe here these typologies and their meaning. The following are the typologies commonly met with, in the Lower Palaeolithic Cultural Phase. 1. Pebble tools (chopper and chopping tools), 2. Rostrocarinate, 3. Proto-hand axe, 4. Hand axe, and 5. Cleavers. Pebble tool (chopper and chopping tools) These tools are generally quite big and massive. They are generally made on a suitable river pebble by flaking off some chips. Starting with an elongated pebble, the edge of one surface is sharpened by striking it against another stationary large stone (this tool making technique is known as Block-on-block or Anvil technique). The rest of the surface is not worked upon, hence represented by the original pebble surface. Such type of pebble tool is called chopper. In some cases, flakes are removed from both the surfaces; but from one of the ends of the pebble. This

3 type of bifacial tool is known as chopping tool. It is prepared by direct percussion. Both these (chopper & chopping) tools possess broad working ends. Such types of pebble tools are first found from Olduvai Gorge, in Africa. Hence these artifacts are referred to as Olduvai tools. Rostrocarinate : It is also a kind of pebble tool in which the original pebble surface or cortex region is retained on a part of its back side as well as partly on its lateral(longer) sides, but a large flake has been removed from its underside, while the upper is partly flaked and has a ridge or keel. Hence, this tool has a beak-like appearance, if looked from the top or front. It is prepared by stone hammer technique. Proto-hand axe : It is another variety of Rostrocarinate. In this type of lethic tool, one surface (either dorsal or ventral)of the artifact, as a rule, is found not worked upon, while a few flakes are knocked off the other side to give it a cutting edge. Secondary working or retouching is rarely seen. Tool making technique is either direct percussion or clactonian technique. Hand axe : It is a bifacial core tool having usually a biconvex profile view. It is always has a thick and heavy butt end while the working-end tapers or slopes down to form a more or less pointed and sharp edge working tip. Various hand axes are produced by using different techniques. In most cases a hand axe possesses some areas of original pebble surfaces except (Ovate, cordiform or triangular type). According to their shape, and nature of the manufacturing techniques, there are various types of hand axe. Some of the common types of hand axes are listed below: a. Pear-shaped hand axe or Pyriform b. Ovale or Ovoid hand axe c. Lanceolate or Almond-shaped hand axe d. Triangular hand axe e. Cordate hand axe or Cordiform or Heart-shaped hand axe f. Abbevillian hand axe g. Achenlian hand axe, and h. Microquian hand axe A. Pear-shaped hand axe or Pyriform : This type of hand axe has a thick, flaked or unflaked pebble butt, and the other end is made gently tapering sides which meet in a thick but somewhat rounded point. It resembles the shape of the fruit Pear which grows in the regions of temperate climate. Hence the name Pear-shaped hand axe is given. The cross-section of this type of hand axe varies from specimen to specimen, but an ideal type of it will be diamond-shaped at

4 the pointed end or working tip and roundish at the butt-end. This hand axe type is produced employing direct percussion technique. B. Ovate or Ovoid hand axe : As the name suggests it is an oval-shaped hand axe. It is more advanced than the Pyriform type of hand axe. The working end and the lateral borders continue in the form of a ridge across the butt-end. Retouching or secondary working is done all over the border forming a regular and all round working tip. The cross-section is comparatively thin and symmetrical. The profile line is also thin and bio-convex. This hand axe variety is made by Levalloisian technique. C. Lanceolate or Almond-shaped handaxe This type of handaxe has fairly long tapering sides ending in a point. The working tip is flat and the width is less as in the lancehead. It is one of the symmetrical and well finished varieties of handaxes. It is manufactured by using Levalloision technique. D. Triangular handaxe It is also one of the advanced tools. As the name suggests, it is the type of handaxe having three sides. These three sides meet as in a triangle i.e. forming three angles( two at its base/ butt-end and one at its working tip). In most cases the flaking surfaces are flat. The cross section also somewhat triangular in shape. The manufacturing technique of such kind of tool is Levalloisian. E. Cordate or cordiform or heart shaped hand axe. As the name connotes, it resembles the shape of the heart. It is fearly symmetrical broad and then tool. It has a rounded but somewhat curved butt-end. The two lateral sides also gently incurved to meet at the working-tip. The cross-section is lenticular or symmetrically biconvex.levalloisian technique is employed for shaping this tool. F. Abbevillian hand axe: As started above, some cultural tools types can be classified under a broad-defined typological category. The Abbellian type hand axe refers to one of such categories which usually have a massive structure. It is crudely made with minimum flaking. It is bifacial tool but rarely symmetrical in shape. It bears the marks of large and deep flaking. Retouching or secondary working is hardly seen. The Abbevillian hand axes come from Abbeville sites Somme valley, France. Such type tool is prepared by using stone hammer technique. G. Acheulian handaxe This hand axe is a typical variety. This typological classification is made on the type of the tool of a particular industry. It comes from St.Acheul site on France. Such hand axe type is shorter and neater than the Abbevillian hand axe and strikingly symmetrical in shape. Cylinder hammer

5 technique is used in shaping and finishing the tool. It is evidenced by the regular, elongated, shallow, slender and some what parallel flake scar remains in the tool. H. Micoquian handaxe It is nmamed after the type site, La Micoque in Franch. It is a smaller triangular hand axe with elongated working tip. It has a thick and heavy butt-end. In shape it may be symmetrical and well shapped or irregular. Statigraphy the micoquian hand axe tradition succeds the Acheulin.Tool making technique is direct percussion. Cleaver: This is another important tool of lower Palaeolithic period. As the name signifies the tool must have been used for cleaning or cutting purposes. In this sense, it is a distant prototype of our present day iron axe with a broad cutting edge. It is essentially made on a broad rectangular or convex side-flake or end-flake. Rarely some specimens are made of a core with a pebble butt or a thick flake, with similar features. Generally the ventral surface is represented by primary flake scars; the dorsal may retain the cortex or pebble surface. The two longitudional sides are comparatively thick and trimmed possibly to facilitate hafting. The cutting edge is formed by the intersection of two main flake scars from both the surfaces. According to the shape of the buttend and form of the cleaving edge and the nature of cross-section, cleavers are further subdivided into four characteristic types. They are: V-shaped cleaver, U-shaped cleaver, Quadrangular type cleaver and Trimmed/flaring sides cleavers. The Levalloisan is the main tool making technique for producing these different cleavers. Functions: The main functions of the lower Palaeolithic tools are described below along with the tool type. 1. Pebbles tools( chopper and chopping) As the names signify both of them are used for chopping and cutting purposes, because these tools possess broad cutting edges. 2. Rostrocarinate It is a pebble tool. Its function remain the same as those of chopper and chopping tools. In addition, it is also used for scraping and digging purpose. 3. Proto hand axe It is another variety of Rostrocarinate. Hence its function is also similar to that of Rostrocarinate cited above. 4. Handaxe Though it has a number of sub-types, all are used for multiple functions like cutting,digging, smashing, tearing, dressing,grinding, boring, scraping, crushing, hurling etc. Hence a handaxe is also known as coup-de-poing or multipurpose tool. 5. Cleaver Primarily cleavers are used for cleaving and chopping purposes. It is also used for cutting the trunks and animal bones.

6 Conclusion: During the lower palaeolithic cultural phases. There are five main tool types so far recovered and reported. They are classified on the basis of their typology. They are: Pebble tools, Rostrocarinate, protohandaxe, handaxe and Cleavers. Pebble tool includes chopper and chopping tools. The handaxe has eight-subtypes (including the pick type), whereas the cleaver has four sub-types. These Lower palaeolithic tools are mainly produced by using Anvil technique/block-on-block technique, Direct percussion/stone hammer technique,cylinder hammer technique,clactonian technique, and Levalloisian technique. All these Lower Palaeolithic heavy tools have multiple functions. Of them mention may be made of chopping, cutting, digging, grinding, scraping, cleaving, hurling, and boring.