The 'Levallois technique' in prehistory refers to a method of:

The Levallois technique is a method of making stone tools in which the toolmaker first prepares a stone core carefully, and then strikes off a flake of a predetermined shape and size.

How the Levallois technique works:

• The toolmaker chooses a suitable stone, such as quartzite or chert.
• The edges and the top surface of the core are shaped by removing small flakes, so that the core looks like a tortoise shell ("tortoise core").
• Then a final blow is struck on a prepared "platform" at one end, which detaches a large, thin flake with sharp edges.
• This flake can be used directly as a tool (for example as a knife, scraper or point), or shaped further.
• The method shows planning and an understanding of how stone breaks.

Origin of the name:

It is named after Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris, France, where such tools were first identified in the 19th century.

When and where it was used:

• It developed in Africa and spread to Europe and Asia.
• It is associated mainly with the Middle Palaeolithic period, from about 3 lakh to 40,000 years ago.
• It was used by Neanderthals in Europe and by early modern humans.
• In India, Levallois flakes are found in Middle Palaeolithic sites, such as Attirampakkam (Tamil Nadu) and sites in central India and the Deccan.

Stone tool traditions:

• Acheulian: bifacial handaxes and cleavers (Lower Palaeolithic).
• Levallois: prepared-core flakes (Middle Palaeolithic).
• Blade and burin industries (Upper Palaeolithic).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Rock painting is a form of prehistoric art.
• ✗Polishing stone axes is typical of the Neolithic period.
• ✗Casting copper tools belongs to the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages.