How Do You Spell LEVALLOIS?

Pronunciation: [lˈɛvɐlwˌɑː] (IPA)

The word "levallois" is an archaeological term that comes from the Levallois-Perret suburb of Paris, where a distinctive way of making stone tools was developed during the Paleolithic era. The pronunciation of "levallois" is lay-va-lwah in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling may seem unusual to English speakers, as French words often have silent letters, but the "s" at the end of "levallois" is pronounced in French, giving it a distinct sound.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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LEVALLOIS Meaning and Definition

  1. Levallois is a term that has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In archaeology and anthropology, Levallois refers to a sophisticated and distinctive method of stone tool production that was developed by early humans during the Middle Paleolithic period.

    Levallois is characterized by the deliberate shaping of stone cores in a way that enables the production of a predetermined set of flakes or blades. This technique involves the removal of several carefully prepared flakes from a single core. It represents a significant advancement in stone tool technology as it allows for the controlled and efficient production of sharp, symmetrical, and standardized tools.

    The Levallois technique is named after an archaeological site called Levallois-Perret, located near Paris, France, where it was first identified and extensively studied in the mid-19th century. It is believed to have been utilized by early human species such as Homo sapiens neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) and Homo sapiens sapiens (early modern humans) during the Middle Paleolithic period, specifically between 300,000 and 30,000 years ago.

    In modern-day discussions, Levallois might also refer to a geographical location, typically referred to as Levallois-Perret, which is a suburb located in the northwestern outskirts of Paris. This area is known for its affluent residential neighborhoods, large commercial centers, and significant industrial activity.

Etymology of LEVALLOIS

The word "Levallois" has its etymology in its origin as a place name in France. It is derived from the name Levallois-Perret, which is a suburb located northwest of Paris. The area was named after the Levallois-Perret family, who owned land in the region. The word "Levallois" itself does not have a specific meaning beyond its connection to the location. However, it has gained additional significance in archaeology and anthropology due to the association with the "Levallois technique", a distinctive method of stone tool production used by early humans during the Middle Paleolithic period. The technique was first identified from stone tools found at the site of Levallois-Perret in the mid-19th century.