Large flake Acheulian

Acheulian biface industries based on the production of large flakes as the primary blank used for handaxe and cleaver manufacturing have long been acknowledged in the study of the African Acheulian. Nevertheless, this group of assemblages has not received its due attention in the study of the Acheulian techno-complex. The aim of this paper is to define the “Large Flake” stage of the Acheulian, based on the study of thousands of bifacial tools from almost all regions in which Acheulian assemblages have been reported. Once a definition is presented, the large flake Acheulian geographical distribution, chronological boundaries and, in particular, significance to the understanding of the Acheulian as the widest spread and longest existing techno-complex in human cultural evolution are discussed.