The Lower Palaeolithic era was a time period that spanned from approximately 2.6 million years ago to 300,000 years ago, during which the earliest known stone tools were developed by early humans and their ancestors. These stone tools were created using basic percussion techniques and served various purposes such as cutting, scraping, and chopping.
The two primary categories of stone tool types from the Lower Palaeolithic culture are the Oldowan and the Acheulean. The Oldowan tools were the first to be discovered and were known for their simplicity and crudeness. These tools were mainly used for chopping and slicing and were made by striking a large flake off a core stone. On the other hand, the Acheulean tools were more intricate and sophisticated than the Oldowan tools. They were created by shaping a large stone into a bifacial handaxe that could be used for chopping, scraping, and cutting. Typically, Acheulean tools were made by striking a series of flakes off a core stone.
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There are several examples of stone tool types from the Lower Palaeolithic period that are notable. For instance, the Oldowan chopper was a tool that was made by striking a large flake off a core stone and was primarily used for chopping and slicing. The Acheulean handaxe, which was created by shaping a large stone into a bifacial handaxe, was a versatile tool that served various purposes. The cleaver, another important tool, was used for cutting and chopping and was identified by its large, rectangular shape. Finally, the scraper, which was used for scraping and cleaning animal hides, was typically created by refining a flake to produce a sharp edge.
Overall, the stone tools of Lower Palaeolithic culture signify an important development in human technology and provide valuable insights into the lifestyles and behavior of early humans and their ancestors.