Cleavers, found in many Acheulean assemblages such as Africa, were similar in size and manner of hand axes. The differences between a hand axe and a cleaver is that a hand axe has a more pointed tip, while a … See more

In Africa, cleavers first appeared from the late Oldowan to the Acheulean. In Peninj on the western shore of Lake Notron, cleavers constitute 16% of all findings.
One type of cleaver made in Africa was formed by the Tavelbala Tachengit technique. This … See more

This tool type is known from various lower Paleolithic sites across western Asia and Indian subcontinent. There are a few examples found in China too. See more

Outside Africa where cleavers were most abundant, cleavers have appeared in Southwestern Europe. In these regions, they are more abundant than hand axes where raw material occurs in the form of large quartzite cobbles that do not need extensive … See more