In antiquity, a primitive almost defenseless man was faced with many dangers. He was forced to defend himself from the attack of predatory animals, to provide himself with food and to shelter from the weather. With the development of thinking, the understanding came that he needed tools of labor and defense. Thus, the first choppers, spears, incisors, flakes were created. What is chopped, you ask? This article will try to answer this question.
A bit of history
What is chopped, archaeologists determined by finds dating from the Acheulean period (about 1.6 million years ago). By the way, these tools were more advanced than their predecessors. In the earlier (Shelsky) period, formless unprocessed and massive stones with sharp edges served as tools. At this stage, their impact and cutting properties were directly used. Later, certain methods and techniques were applied to the stone in order to achieve the desired shape. Rough flakes were found by archaeologists in different parts of the globe, with obvious traces of human hands interfering. Massive tools made of coarse pebbles, upholstered at one end, were also discovered. Based on the foregoing, one can imagine what chopped off the Selsk period. Looking at them, it is clear that the man, although ineptly, tried to beat off the fragments from the stone with sharp blows, leaving a sharp edge. The paleoanthropic of the Acheulean era, in turn, more skillfully and accurately struck blows, separating thin flakes.
What is chopped
Over time, the shape of the ancient tools improved. Man learned to achieve the manufacture of straight and sharp instruments. The Acheulean hand chopped is a pebble, hewn on both sides to the point formation, serving as a massive tool. The untreated part of the stone with a smooth surface opposite the tip was a grip located in the palm of your hand for a comfortable hold. Unlike the Shelsky zigzag blades, which arose during random blows, the chopped ancient man of the subsequent period had an oval, and more often almond-shaped.
Making chopped
The first Neanderthal man chopped made of pebbles, located in the riverbeds and on the coasts of the seas. The tools with which they made in ancient times chopped - these are two stones. One was of hard rock and served as the shock part, the other was the future weapon. Peeling of pebbles began from a narrower side, creating a sharp end. The first blow formed a depression, which served as the beginning of subsequent work. Further, the person, starting from the created recess, sequentially cut off small pebble pieces, achieving the necessary shape. In order not to spoil the workpiece, he used a chipper. It was applied to the part and hit from above with a solid object. This helped to monitor the direction of the impact and regulate the force. When the desired shape was obtained, the chipper was used as a chisel. With its help, extra layers of stone were removed. At the same time, the shock technique was supplemented by squeezing. Thanks to this, the chopper acquired a thin and long blade. Such work required increased attentiveness and “inhuman” strength. By the way, scientists found that the Neanderthal was six times stronger than modern man. Its capabilities can be compared with the power of a large gorilla.
With the help of chopped primitive man made and improved new tools, such as scrapers and punctures. These tools helped the paleoanthropist carve the skin of the animal and split the freshened meat into pieces.
Chopped application
How was hack applied? What was it for the Neanderthal from the Paleolithic era? This tool was for man not only a means of labor, but also an instrument of protection. He also replaced many modern tools, without which we cannot even hammer a nail. Chopped greatly facilitated the life of ancient people. Working either with a blunt or sharp end, paleoanthropes could grind plants used for food, loosen the earth, looking for edible roots, crushed nuts. This tool, being universal, performed various functions. Thanks to him, it was possible to get small game, make wooden dishes and implements. Attaching a sharp tip to a long stick, they peeled, peeled and scraped off the bark from the trees, broke off and chopped branches.
Based on the shape of the chopped, over time, man created tools such as a hammer and an ax.