ABSTRACT
Beginning about 1.6 myr or before, the large stone artefacts of the Acheulian Industrial Complex (comprising handaxes and cleavers) were introduced, supplementing the former Oldowan chopper and small flake tool assemblages. This second technological development was more or less contemporary with the appearance of the first large-sized hominid, Homo erectus. This hominid spread into all ecological habitats in Africa other than the tropical forests, and about 1.4 myr or before exploded into Eurasia, bringing the artefact assemblages that combine the core-chopper and biface technologies (Figure 14.1). Mostly found in Africa, these are inseparable parts of single assemblages, but sometimes one or other tradition is found separately. The meaning of this is unclear, but may be sex or age related or may represent the equipment requirements for the terrain. In western and southern Asia, the core-chopper and Acheulian industries are generally but not always associated, and sometimes occur alone as they do in Africa. In western Europe, the pattern is the same, but with the dominance of one or other of these technologies. In eastern Europe, central, eastern and southeastern Asia, on the other hand, only the core-chopper and flake technology (Oldowan) is found. Here, the clue to understanding this patterning must be more specifically ecological, and more precise dating and environmental evidence is an essential beginning to the recognition of significant behavioural differences in resources and their utilization.
