The Acheulian Industry

The breakdown of the Acheulian into four or five stages is bound up with the tool-shaping and retouching techniques used, rather than with a clear-cut chronological sequence. The Acheulian deposits largely consist of alluvial formations and are therefore seldom in their original stratigraphic context. This gives rise to a host of dating problems. The Acheulian industry still uses pebble tools, but handaxes and cleav­ers - and even picks in Central Africa - become more important.

Acheulian I

The tools consisted of very large flakes produced by striking blocks of stone against a fixed support. These flakes were then used to make handaxes and cleavers, which were massive heavy-duty tools with curved cutting-edges. Chipped pebble tools were also present in large numbers. This stage is represented in Shaba, Angola and the Central African Republic, in low-lying terraces or alluvial formations, by crudely chipped pebbles that have been worn down by water action.

Acheulian II

This industry is very similar to that of the previous stage and is likewise found in the same regions of Central Africa. However, the tools are less water-scoured and, above all, are better finished than the Acheulian I tools. Signs of retouching with a wooden or bone hammer can be observed on the edges of the handaxes and cleavers, making them straighter.

Acheulian III

This industry is found near the surface in gravel deposits in Shaba. It was at this stage that a technological innovation was introduced, in that the core was first prepared for the purpose of producing large-sized flakes. This technique is known as Victoria West I. The preparation of the core gave a multi-faceted striking platform from which flakes were removed and then reworked to produce handaxes or cleavers with a regular and symmetrical profile.

Acheulian IV

At this stage, the chipping and flaking techniques were basically the same, but the core was made rounder than in Stage III and the retouching of the handaxes and cleavers was more refined. This Upper Acheulian industry is found near the river Kamoa and in Kasai and Shaba.

Acheulian V

The final Acheulian stage corresponds to the existence of human settlements on the middle and lower dried-out river terraces. In addition to earlier trimming techniques, the Levallois technique came to be used. The use of picks also became more widespread, presumably in connection with wood-working. Stone balls similar to South American 'bolas' have likewise been found. Instances of this final Acheulian stage have been discovered in the Mangala river deposits in the Central African Republic, on the Kamoa in Shaba and in Angola. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the people of this culture for, as a result of the acidity of the soil, no human bones or organic remains have been preserved in any part of the Zaire Basin.

Questionnaire:

• Explain about the Acheulian Industry.