Definition: Acheulean is a term used to describe a type of pottery from the late Stone Age in central Africa that was developed by the Acheuleans, who are believed to have been one of the early inhabitants of this part of Africa. The term 'Acheulean' itself was coined in 1928 and refers to the ceramic objects found at various sites around Lake Turkana in Kenya. These objects were made using a technique called mortuary pot firing that allowed them to be fired on top of a clay base, creating an extremely fine, detailed pattern. Some of the most famous examples of Acheulean pottery include the Babi-Bab (also known as the 'Acheulean Man') site in Kenya and Ethiopia. These objects are thought to have been created around 8000 BCE and reflect a sophisticated level of human sophistication at this time, with intricate designs and patterns that were likely made by skilled artisans using a range of tools. The word "Acheulean" is often associated with the belief that these early inhabitants of Africa developed their knowledge of pottery-making through observing and copying other cultures, and it has been used to describe a group or community that may have lived in close proximity to each other.

Acheulean