page_title: Levallois technique
section_title: Defining Levallois
hierarchical_section_title: Levallois technique / Evolution / Defining Levallois
caption_attribution_description: Different views of the same specimen.
context_page_description: The Levallois technique is a name given by archaeologists to a distinctive type of stone knapping developed by precursors to modern humans during the Palaeolithic period.
  It is named after 19th-century finds of flint tools in the Levallois-Perret suburb of Paris, France. The technique was more sophisticated than earlier methods of lithic reduction, involving the striking of lithic flakes from a prepared lithic core. A striking platform is formed at one end and then the core's edges are trimmed by flaking off pieces around the outline of the intended lithic flake. This creates a domed shape on the side of the core, known as a tortoise core, as the various scars and rounded form are reminiscent of a tortoise's shell. When the striking platform is finally hit, a lithic flake separates from the lithic core with a distinctive plano-convex profile and with all of its edges sharpened by the earlier trimming work.
  This method provides much greater control over the size and shape of the final flake which would then be employed as a scraper or knife although the technique could also be adapted to produce projectile points known as Levallois points.
context_section_description: There is disagreement when it comes to defining Levallois technology. Archeologists question which attributes and dimensions are specifically associated with Levallois, and argue that there are other techniques with similar cosmetic and functional aspects. Due to these disagreements, there is now a more precise set of criteria that outlines Levallois technology from a geometric standpoint. These criteria are:
  Exploitation of the volume of raw material is organized in terms of two intersecting planes, or flaking surfaces;
  The two surfaces are hierarchically related, one constituting the striking platform and the other the primary reduction surface;
  The primary reduction surface is shaped such that the morphology of the product is pre-determined, which is fundamentally a function of the lateral and distal convexities of the surface;
  The fracture plane for removing primary products is sub-parallel to the plane of intersection of the two surfaces; and
  The striking platform size and shape is adjusted to allow removal of flakes parallel to this plane, usually through retouch or faceting.
caption: Levallois point – Beuzeville
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