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Handaxes (bifaces) were manufactured and used for the first time by Homo erectus and were the most characteristic tools of the Lower Palaeolithic. They were common during the so-called Acheulean cultural phase when they were used by Homo sapiens praesapiens. Handaxes were less used during the Middle Palaeolithic parallel to flakes and disappeared during the Upper Palaeolithic. |
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Handaxes were made from thick flakes of chopping tools or pieces of flint. The raw material was worked on both sides using the technique Levallois. The size, thickness and shape of handaxes differed according to the cultural phase. The handaxes of the Acheulean phase were thick tools with initially wavy and later straight edges. Those of the Mousterien phase (Middle Palaeolithic) resembled a bifacial leaf point. Based on their shape, they are categorized as cordiform, amygdaloid, oval, discoid, triangular etc. Unique examples of handaxes in the Greek area come from Palaiokastro in Kozani and Kokkinopilos in Epirus. |
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