History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c10.s1.t6.50

v1.c10.s1.t6.50

(3) Para-Levallois Technique : This technique is also known in the literature on the Palaeolithic period as Victoria - west and Vaal technique, after the regions in Africa, where Acheulian cleavers made on broad flakes were found in plenty (Bordes, 1968, p. 69). The sides or the periphery of large boulder or block of stone is prepared by removing a few large flakes from top and bottom. Striking platform is prepared on a part of the top face. A heavy blow when delivered at the striking platform, results in a broad cleaver-shaped flakes with sharp and broad cutting edge (Fig.11). A little working on the side or sides of such a flake should make a perfect cleaver. In the Palaeolithic industries of India the presence of this technique is found in most of the advanced Achulian industries e.g., Attirampakkam, Paisra, Belan valley etc. Dominant proportion of such cleavers and cleaver- flakes were noticed by this author in the tool-kit of Lalitpur and Chirki Nevasa (Jayaswal, 1978, p. 22).