Neandertal Tools

1
Neandertal Tools

• Neandertals improved previous techniques by
  inventing a new variation, Mousterian.
• They trimmed a flint nodule around the edges to
  form a disk-shaped core.
• Each time they struck the edge, they produced a
  flake, continuing until the core became too small
  and was discarded.
• They then trimmed the flakes into various forms,
  such as scrapers, points, and knives.

2
Chatelperronian

• This is an Upper Paleolithic tool industry found
  in France and Spain, containing blade tools and
  associated with Neandertals.
• Neandertals are also identified with Mousterian
  tools (next slide)

3
Mousterian (Neandertal) vs. Acheulian (Homo
Erectus) Tools

• Mousterian is characterized by a larger
  proportion of flake tools than is found in
  Acheulian tool kits.

4
ReviewAcheulean Tools

• Acheulean tools are typically found with Homo
  erectus remains.
• Lower to Middle Pleistocene
• It was the dominant technology for the vast
  majority of human history and more than one
  million years ago it was Acheulean tool users who
  left Africa to first successfully colonize
  Eurasia.

5
ReviewOldowan tools

• The Oldowan is the first known industrial complex
  in prehistory. It takes its name from Olduvai
  Gorge, Tanzania
• Oldowan tool use is estimated to have begun about
  2.5 million years ago (mya), lasting to as late
  as 0.5 mya.
• It is thought that Oldowan tools were produced by
  several species of hominids ranging from late
  Australopithecus to early Homo.