Cleaver (tool)

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In archaeology, a cleaver is a name given to a type of biface stone tool of the Lower Palaeolithic.

Cleavers are a little like handaxes, they are large and oblong or U-shaped tools meant to be held in the hand but unlike handaxes, they have a wide, straight cutting edge running at right angles to the axis of the tool.

Acheulean cleavers resemble handaxes but with the pointed end truncated away. Flake cleavers have a cutting edge created by a tranchet flake being struck from the primary surface.

A large cleaver from Cuxton in Kent
A large cleaver from Cuxton in Kent

[edit] References

  • Darvill, T (ed.) (2003). Oxford Concise Dictionary of Archaeology, Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-280005-1.
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