A prehistoric tool found in southern England has been identified as a crafted elephant bone hammer. This discovery, detailed in a recent study in Science Advances, changes how we understand early human creativity in Europe. It shows that our ancestors, living around 500,000 years ago, had advanced skills in planning and tool-making long before Homo sapiens appeared.
A Discovery Years in the Making
Excavated in the 1990s at the Boxgrove archaeological site near Chichester, this hammer was not fully appreciated until modern technology was applied. Researchers used 3D surface scanning and electron microscopy to uncover wear patterns and residues of flint, indicating the hammer was used intentionally for crafting other tools. This finding highlights how revisiting old discoveries with new techniques can reveal more about early human behavior.
Choosing Elephant Bone
The hammer, made from dense elephant or mammoth bone, indicates a thoughtful choice of materials. These animals were rare in southern Britain during that period, making their bones valuable. Lead researcher Simon Parfitt notes that using elephant bone demonstrates our ancestors’ resourcefulness and understanding of their environment’s materials.
The hammer’s strength made it ideal for striking stone, while its softer composition allowed for careful crafting without damaging more fragile tools. This shows that early humans were not just opportunistic; they planned ahead and recognized the long-term value of their tools.
Insight Into Early Human Intelligence
Measuring about 11 centimeters, the hammer shows extensive wear from repeated use. Microscopic analysis revealed it was used in a process called knapping, crucial for shaping sharp tools. Co-author Silvia Bello emphasizes how this reflects a high level of abstract thinking among our ancestors. The tool likely belonged to Homo heidelbergensis or early Neanderthals, suggesting that complex cognition evolved slowly across different human species.
Shifting the Timeline of Innovation
While bone tools made from elephant remains exist elsewhere in Europe, most date to less than 450,000 years ago and are found in warmer areas. The Boxgrove hammer is now the oldest known elephant bone tool in Europe, pushing back the timeline for such creativity in colder regions.
When compared to older tools from Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, dating back 1.5 million years, the Boxgrove find suggests that early humans repeatedly adapted similar techniques in various environments. This reinforces the idea that early Europeans were innovative and capable of complex tool-making traditions.
Conclusion
The discovery of this hammer offers a fresh perspective on early human ingenuity. It shows a remarkable understanding of material properties and resource management, painting a picture of ancient life that is more intricate than previously believed. As researchers continue to study sites like Boxgrove, we can expect more revelations that deepen our knowledge of our distant relatives and their capabilities.
