Chellean is a term used to describe a prehistoric stone tool industry. It is pronounced as /ʃɛliən/, with a stress on the first syllable. The spelling of the word comes from the name of the French town of Chelles, where some of the earliest discoveries of this tool-making culture were made. The Chellean industry is characterized by the production of large and heavy handaxes, which were used for chopping and cutting. These tools were used by early humans during the Lower Paleolithic era, around 500,000 to 200,000 years ago.
Chellean is an archaeological term that refers to a specific stone tool industry associated with the Lower Paleolithic period. This cultural phase is named after the site of Saint-Acheul in France, where the first significant discoveries linked to this industry were made. Dating back to the early Pleistocene epoch, the Chellean industry is characterized by the production of large, hand-held bifacial tools known as "choppers" or "chopping tools."
The Chellean industry is typically identified by the presence of carefully shaped, pear or oval-shaped tools, often associated with hominin use. These tools were made from flint or other types of hard stone, exhibiting distinctive chipping and shaping techniques. In some cases, bifacial shaping was accomplished by removing flakes from both sides of a core, creating a sharp cutting edge. These tools were likely used for cutting, chopping, and potentially even hunting.
Chellean technology represents an important stage in human evolution, reflecting advancements in tool-making techniques and the development of cognitive abilities. This industry is closely associated with Homo erectus (or other early hominin species) and is considered an important milestone in the evolutionary path towards more complex stone tool industries. The Chellean artifacts have been found in various regions across Africa, Europe, and Asia, providing valuable insights into the cultural and technological capabilities of early human populations.
The word "Chellean" is derived from the archaeological site of La Chelle, located near Chelles, France. The site was excavated in the late 19th century by French archaeologist Jacques Boucher de Crèvecœur de Perthes, who discovered one of the earliest examples of primitive stone tools, now known as the Chellean industry. The term "Chellean" was therefore coined to describe this particular archaeological industry and is named after the site where it was first identified.