Recent discoveries in Greece have unveiled two remarkable wooden tools, dating back 430,000 years. These are currently the oldest known handheld wooden tools in the world, crafted by a mysterious hominin species that existed long before modern humans. The tools were excavated from the Marathousa site on the Peloponnese peninsula.
One tool is an impressive 31.9 inches (81 cm) long, featuring a frayed end that hints at its use as a digging stick. Researchers compared it to traditional digging sticks used today. The second tool, much smaller at 2.2 inches (5.7 cm), is completely debarked but its specific purpose remains a mystery. It might have been used for crafting stone tools, showcasing the versatility of early human technology.
These artifacts likely survived due to being buried in wet soil, which blocked oxygen and preserved them over millennia. Beyond the tools, the site yielded remains of various animals and plants, painting a picture of a vibrant lakeside ecosystem that once thrived there. The research indicates that animals like elephants, wild boars, and even hippos once roamed the area.
Interestingly, this discovery pushes back our understanding of tool-making by at least 40,000 years. Dr. Annemieke Milks, the study’s lead author, highlighted that these findings increase our knowledge of how early hominins utilized different materials. This adaptability shows that they had a sophisticated understanding of their environment, utilizing both wood and stone for various tasks.
During this time, Europe was enduring a harsh glacial period, making the lakeshore environment a relatively warm refuge for these early communities. This sharp contrast between their surroundings and their tool use reflects not only adaptability but also creativity.
As Katerina Harvati, a paleoanthropologist, pointed out, these wooden tools enlighten us about the flexibility of early hominins in employing plant-based resources. Unlike stone tools, which dominate our archaeological understanding, wooden tools reveal a less-explored aspect of ancient technology.
The significance of these discoveries is profound. They remind us that early humans exhibited ingenuity and versatility long before modern civilizations. Understanding how they thrived in challenging climates gives us insights into human evolution and survival strategies.
The excavation work at Marathousa spans from 2013 to 2019, making these findings part of a continuous effort to unravel early human history. As we dig deeper into these ancient layers, we unearth not just tools, but stories of resilience and adaptation that speak to our shared past.
