The spelling of "Abbeville flints" can be a bit confusing. Abbeville is pronounced /æbəvɪl/, with the stress on the second syllable. Meanwhile, "flints" is pronounced /flɪnts/. The word "flints" refers to a type of stone that was commonly used for making tools and weapons during the Stone Age. The name "Abbeville flints" specifically refers to a type of flint that was found near Abbeville, France. Today, Abbeville flints are highly valued by archaeologists and collectors alike.
Abbeville flints refer to a specific type of prehistoric stone tools that were primarily found in the area of Abbeville, a town in northern France. These flints are characterized by their unique shape and design, which was created through the process of knapping, where pieces of flint are struck and broken to produce desired tools.
Abbeville flints are typically flat or elongated in shape, with one or both ends modified into a sharp point or edge. They were commonly used as cutting tools, scrapers, or projectile points by early humans during the Paleolithic period. These flints were fashioned by skilled artisans who carefully selected the appropriate raw materials and used precise techniques to shape and refine them.
The Abbeville flints are notable for their high-quality craftsmanship, durability, and effectiveness as tools. They have been found in large quantities at various archaeological sites across Europe, suggesting that they were widely traded and used by early human populations. The abundance and distribution of Abbeville flints provide valuable insight into the technological advancements and cultural practices of early human societies.
Today, Abbeville flints serve as important artifacts in archaeological research, enabling scientists and historians to understand the tools and techniques employed by our ancient ancestors. They offer a glimpse into the lives, behaviors, and adaptations of early human communities and contribute to our understanding of the development of human society and technology.
Rude flint implements, in the form of apear-heads, &c., found in great abundance in the post-tertiary sands and gravels of the river Somme, near Abbeville, in France.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The term "Abbeville flints" originates from the town of Abbeville in northern France. The word "Abbeville" comes from the Latin "abbatia", meaning "abbey" or "monastery", as there was a Benedictine abbey established in the town during medieval times.
The term "Abbeville flints" specifically refers to a type of prehistoric stone tool found in the area around Abbeville. These flints were first discovered in the mid-19th century in the gravel beds of the Somme River, which runs near Abbeville. They were created by Homo erectus or possibly even earlier hominin species around 500,000 years ago.
Due to the significant archaeological findings made at Abbeville and the surrounding region, the term "Abbeville flints" became associated with this specific type of Stone Age tool.