Acheulean

Acheulean refers to a prehistoric stone tool culture that emerged around 1.76 million years ago and lasted until about 100,000 years ago. Characterized by the production of distinctive hand axes and bifacial tools, early humans crafted these items for various purposes, including cutting, butchering, and scraping. The Acheulean culture is associated with early Homo species, particularly Homo erectus and possibly Homo heidelbergensis. This period marks a significant advancement in technology and cognitive abilities, reflecting the development of more complex tool-making techniques compared to earlier traditions. The term is named after the Acheule site in France, where such tools were first identified.