Lanceolate Biface
Working of hard materials
Lower Palaeolithic
In Europe, 800 000 to 300 000 years
Commentary :
The lanceolate biface has a sharp, pointed extremity. Its large base allows it to be held in the hand. It can thus be used for heavy percussion without being hafted.
This heavy tool with a robust cutting edge is perfectly adapted to working resistant materials. When working wood, the biface removes chips like a modern axe, but can also be used to transversally saw through fibres. The transformation of ligneous materials, such as wood and plants, is indispensable for the construction of dwelling structures and the manufacture of the equipment, traps and hunting weapons of Homo erectus groups. The diversity of biface types observed over 400 000 years ago, is a reflection of the multiple functions they performed, as well as cultural traditions, that varied between different Acheulean groups.