Discover the World’s Oldest Boomerang: A Remarkable Stone Age Find in Europe!

An ancient boomerang made from mammoth tusk has been unearthed in a cave in Poland, dating back an incredible 40,000 years. This discovery marks the first known instance of a complex throwing tool in Europe, and it could very well be the oldest boomerang in the world.

Paweł Valde-Nowak, an archaeologist from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, noted that this ivory artifact shares striking similarities with modern boomerangs still used by Aboriginal Australians today. Its curved shape and cross-section mimic the non-returning boomerangs found in Queensland.

This new finding was published in the journal PLOS One. The research reveals that advanced throwing tools were created in Europe much earlier than previously thought.

The boomerang, which measures about 28 inches (72 cm), was discovered in Obłazowa Cave during an excavation over 40 years ago. Among the discoveries were human bones, fox fang pendants, and stone tools, all covered in red ocher. Valde-Nowak and his team had initially reported their findings in Nature in 1987, suggesting that both Neanderthals and early humans occupied this cave from the Middle to Upper Paleolithic periods (300,000 to 12,000 years ago).

The Upper Paleolithic era was significant for human development, seeing the emergence of sophisticated tools, art, and personal adornments. Valde-Nowak observed that the items found in this cave starkly differ from older artifacts discovered at the same site, indicating a leap in cultural practices.

He stated, "This is clear evidence of behaviors we did not know about—practices of early Homo sapiens that contrast sharply with what we found in deeper layers left by Neanderthals."

Historically, classic Aboriginal boomerangs have been traced back at least 20,000 years, showing they were often multi-purpose tools used for hunting, fighting, or even digging. Interestingly, early examples of throwing sticks can be found in Germany, dating back up to 300,000 years.

In recent analyses of the finds from Obłazowa Cave, researchers performed DNA and radiocarbon tests on a human finger bone found in the same layer as the boomerang. This person lived at least 31,000 years ago. A group of animal bones in the same layer dated to approximately 41,500 years ago. By combining these dating methods, scientists determined that the boomerang was carved at least 35,000 years ago, likely between 42,365 and 39,355 years ago.

The study authors emphasized how these findings offer fresh insight into early human life, showcasing sophisticated tools that reflect the cognitive skills of our ancestors. As they put it, this boomerang might be one of the oldest in Europe and possibly worldwide, highlighting the remarkable abilities of early humans.

In a world where technology and tools continue to evolve rapidly, the discovery of this ancient boomerang reminds us of our deep-rooted connection to innovation and creativity.

For further details on prehistoric tools, visit National Museum of Australia.

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