Ancient Bone Tools Dating Back 1.5 Million Years: A Revolutionary Find That Changes Our Understanding of Early Human History

Recent discoveries in Tanzania have changed our understanding of early human technology. Archaeologists found ancient bone tools in Olduvai Gorge, dating back 1.5 million years. These tools were likely made by a species called Homo habilis.

The people behind these tools, known as the Oldowan people, were already recognized for their skills with stone tools, which date back to 2.5 million years ago. The new findings reveal that their technological abilities were far more advanced than previously thought.

Archaeologist Ignacio de la Torre from the Spanish National Research Council notes that this discovery broadens our view of early human tools. He explains that these early hominins not only used stones but also innovated by incorporating bones into their tool-making. This suggests a level of cognitive development that allowed them to adapt and improve their skills.

Tool-making is a key milestone in human evolution, helping our ancestors extract nutrients from their food. Previously, evidence of bone tools was scarce, mainly found in Europe and dating back only 400,000 to 250,000 years ago. Earlier sites had only unaltered animal bones used for tasks like digging, making it hard to study organic tool production.

From 2015 to 2022, researchers excavated in Olduvai Gorge, a site known for its rich history of the Oldowan culture, which thrived between 2.6 million and 1.5 million years ago. As expected, many animal remains were found among the various stone tools. However, a deeper inspection of some bones, dated to 1.5 million years ago, revealed that 27 of them had been deliberately broken and shaped into heavy-duty tools.

This suggests that the introduction of bone tools might have marked a crucial shift in technology from the Oldowan to the Acheulean culture, which emerged around 1.7 million years ago. The tools mainly came from elephants and hippopotamuses. While their specific uses remain unknown, it is likely they were used for butchering before being phased out by more efficient stone tools as technology progressed.

As to why this bone tool technology faded and reappeared later, the reasons are still unclear. Ongoing excavations could potentially uncover more insights into this ancient practice. Overall, these findings shine a light on the complex and innovative behaviors of our early ancestors.

In conclusion, the production of standardized bone tools from over a million years ago might have significantly influenced our ancestors’ behaviors and cognitive abilities. This research not only enriches our understanding of ancient tool-making but also highlights the intricate nature of human evolution.

The study has been published in Nature.

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