Differentiate between Lower Palaeolithic culture and Middle Palaeolithic culture with suitable examples.

Lower Palaeolithic Culture (c. 2.5 mya – 300,000 ya)

The Lower Palaeolithic period is associated with *Homo habilis* and *Homo erectus*. It is primarily characterized by the Acheulean industry, named after the site of Saint-Acheul in France. The defining feature is the production of bifaces – handaxes, cleavers, and picks – which are large, symmetrical tools requiring considerable skill to manufacture.

Key Characteristics

• Technology: Primarily bifacial tool production. Simple core tools are also present, but bifaces dominate the lithic assemblage. Levallois technique is largely absent or rudimentary.
• Raw Materials: Locally available materials like quartzite, basalt, and river gravels were commonly used. Higher quality materials like flint and chert were utilized where accessible.
• Subsistence: Primarily scavenging and opportunistic hunting, supplemented by gathering plant foods.
• Sites: Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania), Koobi Fora (Kenya), Zhoukoudian (China)

Middle Palaeolithic Culture (c. 300,000 ya – 40,000 ya)

The Middle Palaeolithic is associated with *Homo neanderthalensis* and early *Homo sapiens*. It is characterized by the Mousterian industry, which exhibits a greater diversity of tool types and a more sophisticated understanding of lithic technology.

Key Characteristics

• Technology: The Levallois technique becomes prominent, allowing for the systematic production of flakes of predetermined shapes. A wider range of specialized tools, including scrapers, points, and burins, are manufactured.
• Raw Materials: Greater emphasis on high-quality raw materials like flint and chert, often obtained from distant sources.
• Subsistence: More focused and organized hunting strategies, including the use of spears and other hunting implements.
• Sites: Le Moustier (France), Gesher Benot Ya’aqov (Israel), Vindija Cave (Croatia)

Comparison Table: Lower Palaeolithic vs. Middle Palaeolithic

Feature	Lower Palaeolithic (Acheulean)	Middle Palaeolithic (Mousterian)
Associated Hominins	*Homo habilis*, *Homo erectus*	*Homo neanderthalensis*, early *Homo sapiens*
Dominant Technology	Bifacial Tool Production (Handaxes, Cleavers)	Levallois Technique, Specialized Tools (Scrapers, Points, Burins)
Raw Material Usage	Locally available materials (Quartzite, Basalt)	Higher quality materials (Flint, Chert) - often imported
Subsistence Strategy	Scavenging, Opportunistic Hunting	Organized Hunting
Technological Complexity	Lower	Higher
Chronological Range	c. 2.5 mya – 300,000 ya	c. 300,000 ya – 40,000 ya

Key Differences Explained

The primary difference lies in the technological sophistication. Lower Palaeolithic tools, while demonstrating an understanding of basic stone working principles, are relatively standardized and less diverse. Middle Palaeolithic tools, on the other hand, reflect a more nuanced understanding of flake production and tool functionality. The Levallois technique, absent or rudimentary in the Lower Palaeolithic, allows for a greater degree of control over flake size and shape, leading to the creation of more specialized tools. This reflects a more complex cognitive capacity and adaptation to diverse environments.

Regional Variations

It is crucial to note that both Lower and Middle Palaeolithic cultures exhibited regional variations. For example, the Soanian industry in the Indian subcontinent, associated with the Lower Palaeolithic, displays a distinct technology with an emphasis on convergent flake tools. Similarly, the Mousterian industry in Europe differs significantly from that found in Africa or Asia.