Researchers have uncovered the oldest known human-made bone tools in Tanzania, dated to 1.5 million years ago, reshaping our understanding of early human intelligence. Crafted from the leg bones of large mammals, these tools demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities and the use of “knapping” techniques. The discovery prompts new insights into the evolution of early hominins and the development of their tool-making skills.
Recent research highlighted by Live Science reveals groundbreaking discoveries at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, where the oldest known human-made bone tools, approximately 1.5 million years old, were unearthed. These artifacts, made from the leg bones of elephants and hippos, predate previously known shaped bone tools by a full million years.
Led by Ignacio de la Torre from the Spanish National Research Council, the study uncovers that early hominins utilized a technique called “knapping,” traditionally associated with stone tools. This technique involves striking one stone against another to create sharp edges, indicating a profound leap in cognitive abilities as early humans adapted stone-working techniques for bone.
De la Torre stated, “The hominins who made these tools knew how to incorporate technical innovations by adapting their stone-working knowledge to bone.” This suggests that early human ancestors possessed advanced mental capacities that influenced their tool-making strategies.
The research team meticulously examined 27 bone fragments, confirming their deliberate shaping by hominins rather than natural processes. The selected bones from elephants and hippos were likely chosen for their durability and size, with tools measuring from 8.6 to 15 inches in length. Evidence suggests these tools were primarily for heavy-duty tasks, such as processing animal carcasses.
Despite the uncertainty regarding which hominin species crafted these tools, both Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei inhabited the region 1.5 million years ago. This landmark find prompts a reevaluation of human evolution, revealing that the experimentation with bone tools occurred significantly earlier than the development of larger stone tools like hand axes.
Renata Peters, an archaeologist from University College London, expressed enthusiasm over the discovery, stating, “It shows that human ancestors were capable of transferring skills from stone to bone, a level of complex cognition that we haven’t seen elsewhere for another million years.”
The discovery of ancient bone tools in Tanzania offers valuable insights into the cognitive abilities and evolutionary advancements of early hominins. As the oldest known examples of human-made bone tools, they challenge previous understandings of tool-making capabilities and highlight early humans’ adaptability and innovation. This research underscores the complexity of human evolution, emphasizing the significance of skill transfer between materials.
Original Source: caliber.az
