In terms of the raw materials used, distinguish between lower and middle palaeolithic tools:

Answer & Explanation

Answer: [D]

The correct option distinguishing the raw materials used in Lower Palaeolithic and Middle Palaeolithic tools is:

D) Lower Palaeolithic primarily used quartzite, whereas in the Middle Palaeolithic, crypto-crystalline silica (such as chert or flint) was primarily used.

Lower Palaeolithic tools, which date back to around 2.6 million to 300,000 years ago, often utilized quartzite as a common raw material. Quartzite is a hard, metamorphic rock composed mostly of quartz. Lower Palaeolithic tool assemblages, such as the Oldowan industry, often feature tools made from quartzite.

In contrast, Middle Palaeolithic tools, which range from around 300,000 to 30,000 years ago, were commonly made from crypto-crystalline silica. Chert or flint, which are examples of crypto-crystalline silica, were extensively used to create tools during the Middle Palaeolithic period. Chert and flint are sedimentary rocks known for their conchoidal fracturing, which allows for the production of sharp-edged tools.

Therefore, the correct answer is D) Lower Palaeolithic primarily used quartzite, whereas in the Middle Palaeolithic, crypto-crystalline silica (such as chert or flint) was primarily used.