Recent archaeological findings in central China have revealed that early humans crafted complex stone tools around 160,000 years ago. This new evidence challenges the long-held belief that Asian tool-making technology was less advanced than that of Europe or Africa during this time.
At the excavation site in Xigou, Henan province, researchers uncovered over 2,600 stone tools, many of which were “hafted,” meaning they were attached to handles made of wood or other materials. Co-author Michael Petraglia from Griffith University highlighted the significance of these tools, noting that they represent the earliest known evidence of composite tools in Eastern Asia. This innovation allowed for better leverage and effectiveness in tasks like boring into plant materials.
Interestingly, the tools, dating between 160,000 and 72,000 years ago, appear to be quite small, often less than 2 inches long. This contrasts with past discoveries, which typically focused on larger, more rudimentary tools. Co-author Ben Marwick, an archaeology professor at the University of Washington, pointed out that this suggests advanced tool-making techniques emerged earlier than previously accepted.
Although specifics about the creators remain unclear, Marwick indicated that multiple human species, such as the Denisovans or early Homo sapiens, might have been involved. Current theories often simplify a complex picture of early human culture, with many researchers moving away from viewing East Asia as a ‘cultural backwater.’
Historical assumptions about East Asian hominins have been framed by the Movius Line, established in the 1940s, which divided advanced tool-making cultures in the West from simpler ones in the East. Anthropologist John Shea critiqued this notion, arguing that it misrepresents the ingenuity of Asian hominins. Shea’s own experiments reveal that sharper, more complex tools can be risky to work with, emphasizing the practical reasoning behind using simpler, hafted designs.
With the new research, it’s clear that East Asia had vibrant and sophisticated tool-making traditions earlier than many believed. This discovery encourages a broader understanding of human technological evolution and cultural development. Associate professor Anne Ford from the University of Otago stressed that recognizing these advancements is vital for appreciating the cognitive abilities of these ancient peoples.
These findings are a reminder that the narrative of human history is constantly evolving. As more artifacts are uncovered, they shed light on our past and the diverse strategies our ancestors employed to adapt to their environments.
For further reading, the study titled “Technological innovations and hafted technology in central China ~160,000–72,000 years ago” can be found in the journal Nature Communications.
