Researchers have unearthed what are believed to be the oldest known bone instruments, which date their employment back approximately one million years earlier than previously thought.
This discovery indicates that early humans possessed more sophisticated tool-making abilities than was earlier believed.
These 27 fossilized remains, crafted into tools approximately 1.5 million years ago, are reshaping our understanding of early human technological development.
The assemblage discovered in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge offers the oldest proof of intentional creation of bone tools by early hominids.
Crafted from the robust leg bones of elephants and hippos, these tools indicate that our ancient ancestors employed more sophisticated tool sets than earlier believed.
Scientists have established that basic stone tools date back 3.3 million years. However, bone tools were thought to have been invented significantly later.
The artifacts, which remain in excellent condition with sizes reaching up to 40 centimeters, exhibit evident indications of deliberate crafting.
When they were first made, our forebears inhabited an uncertain hunter-gatherer life amidst the plains of the Serengeti area, a habitat brimming with animals.
They created them utilizing a method akin to the production of stone tools, where tiny flakes were detached to create keen edges, showcasing advanced expertise.
Dr. Christine Adhiambo Ogola is an archaeologist affiliated with the National Museum of Kenya. She did not participate in the research.
"Bone tools aren't prevalent due to their tendency to decay. Therefore, even though there might be numerous instances of them throughout history, only a few remain. In contrast, stone tools persist longer, which is why we find more of those," she explained.
These instruments were probably employed as hand-held axes primarily for processing animal carcases, notably those of scavenged elephants and hippopotamuses.
Unlike subsequent instruments, these were not attached to handles or employed as spears.
Experts suggest that the consistent choice of certain bones, mainly big limb bones from particular creatures, indicates that ancient humans intentionally looked for superior raw materials to craft their tools.
"We can't precisely determine when they began utilizing bone tools since it’s possible that these instruments were employed even earlier. Given what we know about chimpanzees using such tools, it indicates that human beings at a similar stage of evolution might have also made use of them," explained Ogola.
Consider this from a temporal perspective. When did humans reach that stage? It might have been as far back as 4-5 million years ago.
This finding predates the emergence of Homo sapiens by over a million years. During this period, at least three distinct hominin species inhabited the area, namely Homo erectus, Homo habilis, and Paranthropus boisei.
It remains uncertain which species crafted these tools; however, experts indicate that the discoveries imply early humans weren’t merely responding passively to their surroundings. Instead, they appear to have been deliberately strategizing about how they created their tools and carefully choosing materials for specific intended uses.
The finding, reported in the journal Nature, sheds light on the developing intellect and flexibility of our ancient forebears.
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