Atypical Levallois Point
This tool was made with a special technique called Levallois core preparation that was widely used during the Middle Paleolithic Period. The Middle Paleolithic saw the rise of more complex stone tool technologies and more variability in tool types compared to the Lower Paleolithic. This change is associated with the increasing complexity of Hominin behavior —such as specialized hunting, pyrotechnology, and the use of symbols— eventually resulting in anatomically and behaviorally modern humans. Levallois points, a primary example of the more complex stone tool technology, were made by removing flakes from a core in a specific way, such as centripetally around an edge, so that the last flakes detached had a predetermined pointed shape. Sometimes, the flakes produced this way were then used as tools without any additional modification of the shape or edges, and this tool is an example of such. It has only irregular scars along the edges which are likely the result of use.
Artwork Details
- Title: Atypical Levallois Point
- Period: Middle Paleolithic Period
- Date: ca. 240,000–40,000
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri
- Medium: Flint
- Dimensions: L. 12.1 × W. 5.6 × Th. 1.1 cm, Wt. 72.5g (4 3/4 × 2 3/16 × 7/16 in., 2.557oz.)
- Credit Line: Gift of C. T. Currelly, 1906
- Object Number: 06.322.43
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 2051–1981 B.C.
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