The 7 types of lithic industry: the origins of technology

Something that has been fundamental for the evolution of human beings is the development of technology, understood as the set of instruments and procedures that help us satisfy our needs and solve problems.

Such development has taken place throughout the history of our species, in fact, our sophisticated technology is part of what sets us apart from all other species. It has not only helped us to adapt to the needs presented by the environment, but to adapt that environment to our own needs.

More specifically, the passage from homo habilis to homo sapiens was marked by the use of minerals, which is known as lithic industry. This is also the oldest industry developed by the human species.

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What is the lithic industry?

The lithic industry is the production of tools based on rock and various minerals, which had a special boom in the period known as “prehistory”. Specifically in the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods.

Some examples of these tools are the weapons that were used for hunting or gathering, and also the materials needed to make them, among others. It is an industry whose development was quite slow and at the same time important for our evolution: it has been around for more than two million years.

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7 types of lithic industry: from Homo habilis to Homo sapiens

As is to be expected, the needs and available resources constantly changed between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic. Thus, there were different types of lithic industry.

Seven main types are currently recognized: Olduvayense, Acheulean, Mousterian, Aurignacian, Gravettian, Solutrean and Magalenian.

1. Olduvayense

Olduvayense-type industry, also known as mode 1 industry, appeared approximately 2.5 million years ago, probably with the emergence of the first representatives of the human race, the Homo.

The production of tools occurred in the first place based on carved rocks, whose shape could be in different ways and was achieved by hitting one or both faces of the rock. On the other hand, these tools had a very low degree of elaboration, since it was only intended to sharpen stones at one end, without paying much attention to the resulting shape. By making rough marks created in a rudimentary way, you didn't have much control over the shape obtained. For this recognized as the oldest stone carving industry.

Olduvayense lithic production was based on taking advantage of the closest raw material, without having to plan much about where to get it and how to handle it. The main objective was to obtain cutting edges and small parts. This type of technology was used mainly by Homo habilis.

2. Acheulean

The Acheulean mode, or mode 2, refers to the elaboration and use of flat and thin stone fragments (what is known as "flake"), which were carved on both sides, getting biface axes. These flakes are more standardized than in the previous period, they follow a specific order of blows and turns in the handling of the material with which one works.

The Acheulean-type lithic industry corresponds to the Lower Paleolithic, approximately 1.6 million years ago, and rock manipulation techniques gave it the shape of small axes. On the other hand, these instruments were not specialized in specific tasks, and served the general purpose of cutting soft materials and scraping hides, at the price of not obtaining optimal results or very high productivity compared to what could be achieved with other types of lithic industry that were yet to come.

3. Mousterian

The lithic industry of mode 3, or Mousterian, appeared in the early Upper Pleistocene, about 125,000 years ago and disappeared about 30,000 years ago. It is associated with Neanderthals, which starting from the Acheulean industry originating in Africa, perfected it in the regions of Eurasia in which they appeared as a differentiated species and with a cranial capacity greater than that of their ancestors. On the other hand, the first representatives of the sapiens also started from it when they settled in Eurasia.

In this stage, flint or flint was mainly used, a hard stone made from silica that can create sharp edges when breaking. Likewise, during this period that corresponds to the Middle Paleolithic, the stones were used especially for hunting, but specialized tools have already begun to be created, planning in their elaboration a particular purpose. Specifically, around sixty specialized tools have been preserved, such as punches, axes, knives, etc.

The tools were smaller than in previous periods and they had more points, so they are closer to the shape of a knife. Within this period the intermediate stage "Chatelperroniense" is also recognized, closer to the Upper Paleolithic.

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4. Aurignacian

This period, along with the three that follow, are usually grouped within the same period: the Paleolithic Superior (the stage that goes from 40,000 years ago to 12,000 years ago), and they are associated with a mode of production common characterized by the use of bone, antler or ivory to make long and very sharp points (impossible to manufacture from materials as brittle as stones), and also for making the first artistic representations with the same materials. Thanks to the possibility of creating needles, it is possible to manufacture sophisticated garments with which to move around fully glacial ecosystems, something that other representatives of the genus Homo could not do for long weather.

On the other hand, in this type of lithic industry the use of the burin is generalized, which is an instrument developed by Homo sapiens and is considered the first machine tool: an object created to make other work instruments.

Specifically, the Aurignacian is characterized by large plates, like large carved flakes. Other materials used were flint, quartz and quartzite.

5. Gravettian

Along with the earlier period, the Gravettian is associated with Homo sapiens. In the same way, the use of bone and ivory was predominant for the manufacture of long points. It is characterized by the presence of the first decorated bones and also by developing clay firing methods.

6. Solutrean

Continuing with the previous one, this stage is characterized by the development of rock heating methods. By these same methods, the carving and the shape of the tool is modified. They have more aesthetic touches, similar to an arrow. Flint, quartz and different crystals, such as obsidian, are also used..

7. Magdalenian

In this last period, the tools are even finer but also larger, shaped like a spear point (small throwing spear), although they also have triangular shapes. Its elaborate products were used not only for hunting, but also as combat weapons and also as ornaments. Many well-preserved remains have been found in the southwest of Western Europe.