Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive review to the concept of the Cha?ne opératoire in lithic studies, one of the most important but confusing analytic concept since 1970s. Having discussed its development , definition , context , and applications, the authors consider the concept of the Cha?ne opératoire to be a dynamic theoretical device and a methodological alternate in lithic analysis, rather than simple analytical techniques equivalent to “core reduction”，“refitting analysis”or “mass analysis ”，which could be integrated into analyses of dynastic stone tool lives. In the view of the authors, the framework of the cha?ne opératoire was built on two behavioral dynamics ( technical gestures and mental operations ) that are connected through an operational sequence. A few archaeological applications demonstrate that the use of the concept of the Cha?ne opératoire in lithic analyses can be successful if researchers have posted a sequence of questions related to the dynamic life of stone tools with sufficient and applicable data. In order to understand this concept in comparison with similar terminology commonly used in North American archaeology, this paper introduces the concepts of behavioral chain, organization of technology, and reduction sequences illustrating the advancement of the Cha?ne opératoire. However, this theoretical concept still has some problems that need to be refined in the future.

Key words: Cha?ne opératoire; Operational sequences; Technical gestures; Mental operations; Dynamic