Abbeville

Bryan/Gruhn Archaeology Collection Read more about this collection »

Site Typequarry DescriptionThe site is a gravel pit in which crudely chipped oval or pear-shaped handaxes were discovered, probably dating to the Mindel glaciation. This was one of the key places which showed that humans were of great antiquity. Starting in 1836, Boucher de Perthes excavated the pits and the significance of these discoveries was recognized around 1859. These pits became one of the richest sources of Palaeolithic tools in Europe. In 1939, Abbé Breuil proposed the name Abbevillian for both the handax and the industry, which preceded the Acheulian in Europe.

Site Name Abbeville Site Type quarry Description

The site is a gravel pit in which crudely chipped oval or pear-shaped handaxes were discovered, probably dating to the Mindel glaciation. This was one of the key places which showed that humans were of great antiquity. Starting in 1836, Boucher de Perthes excavated the pits and the significance of these discoveries was recognized around 1859. These pits became one of the richest sources of Palaeolithic tools in Europe. In 1939, Abbé Breuil proposed the name Abbevillian for both the handax and the industry, which preceded the Acheulian in Europe.

Page Citation

"Site Details - Abbeville, Bryan/Gruhn Archaeology Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/7-327/17-2994. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.