In this video, Dr. James Dilley explores the Mousterian (Mode 3) style of flintknapping known as “prepared core technology” or the “Levallois technique”. The Levallois technique requires a high level of skill and cognition to plan several steps ahead during the flintknapping process (Schlanger 1996) as the shape and preparation of the core determines the shape of the flakes that are removed. By creating a prepared core, successfully removed flakes are detached which have a size and shape determined to some extent by the maker. This allows a flintknapper to detach large flakes with razor sharp edges that would make suitable cutting tools, or triangular flakes suitable for spear points.

FFilmed Edited & Produced by Emma Jones of ELWJ Media - www.elwjmedia.co.uk

Featuring: Beaver Bushcraft Flintknapping Leather Leg Guard: https://www.beaverbushcraft.co.uk/our...
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References:
Brantingham, P. J., and Kuhn, S. L. (2001). Constraints on Levallois core technology: A mathematical
model. Journal of Archaeological Science 28: 747–761.

Chazan, M. (2000). Flake production at the Lower Paleolithic site of Holon (Israel): Implications for
the origin of the Levallois method. Antiquity 74: 495–499.

Dibble, H. L., and Bar-Yosef, O. (1995). The Definition and Interpretation of Levallois Technology,
Prehistory Press, Madison, WI

the urban prehistorian. 2021. Levallois. [online] Available at: https://theurbanprehistorian.wordpres... Accessed 12 March 2021.

Rolland, N. (1995). Levallois technique emergence: Single or multiple? A review of the Euro-African
record. In Dibble, H. L., and Bar-Yosef, O. (eds.), The Definition and Interpretation of Levallois
Technology, Prehistory Press, Madison, WI, pp. 333–359.

Tryon, C.A., McBrearty, S. and Texier, P.J., 2005. Levallois lithic technology from the Kapthurin formation, Kenya: Acheulian origin and Middle Stone Age diversity. African Archaeological Review, 22(4), pp.199-229.

White, M. J., and Pettitt, P. B. (1995). Technology of Early Paleolithic Western Europe: Innovation,
variability and a unified framework. Lithics 16: 27–40

Moncel, M.H. and Combier, J., 1992. L'industrie lithique du site pléistocène moyen d'Orgnac 3 (Ardèche). Gallia préhistoire, 34(1), pp.1-55.

Orgnac 3 aven image - Manuae 2012

Levallois point image (adapted) - José-Manuel Benito Álvarez 2007

Scott, B. (2011). Becoming Neanderthals: Becoming Neanderthals. Oxford; Oakville: Oxbow Books. Retrieved March 31, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1cd0pqx

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