A groundbreaking discovery at Olduvai Gorge reveals that human ancestors created bone tools 1.5 million years ago. This oldest evidence of systematic bone tool production includes implements made from hippo and elephant bones. The finding suggests advancements in tool-making from stone to bone, with implications for understanding early hominid behavior and survival strategies.
Recent findings indicate that human ancestors crafted the oldest known bone tools approximately 1.5 million years ago. These artifacts, discovered at Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge, were made from the bones of animals such as hippos and elephants, marking the earliest evidence of systematic bone tool production by hominids. The work of archaeologist Ignacio de la Torre and his colleagues was published in the journal Nature on March 5, based on excavations conducted between 2015 and 2022.
A total of 27 bone tools were uncovered from sediment that had previously been dated. These artifacts may have been created by either Homo erectus, a likely direct ancestor of modern humans, or Paranthropus boisei, a side-branch species that lived concurrently at Olduvai Gorge. While stone tools date back as early as 3.3 million years, this discovery pushes back the timeline for bone tools, previously believed to exist only around 500,000 years ago.
Prior evidence of older tool production included a 1.4-million-year-old hippo’s leg bone previously identified as a cutting tool. The new discoveries at Olduvai include various tools made primarily from leg bones of elephants and hippos, with distinct pounding marks indicative of sharpening. The largest artifacts, crafted from elephant bones, measure about 38 centimeters in length, which is approximately equivalent to the average distance from an adult’s elbow to fingertips.
Researchers identified six tools with one end featuring a carved notch for grip and a sharp point at the other end. Notably, other bone implements resemble pear-shaped stone hand axes, which are associated with the Acheulean industry that emerged around 1.7 million years ago. According to de la Torre, the bone tools represent a significant technological transfer from stone to bone tools among hominids.
Excavation efforts revealed numerous hippo bones bearing butchery marks, illustrating that Olduvai hominids utilized hippo remains for both food and tool-making. Nonetheless, relatively few elephant remains were found, suggesting that tools made from elephant bones were likely sourced from other locations.
The discovery of 1.5-million-year-old bone tools at Olduvai Gorge provides compelling evidence of early hominid technological advancements. These artifacts indicate a significant development in tool-making practices, marking the transition from stone to bone. The findings highlight not only the creativity of ancient ancestors but also their resourcefulness in utilizing available materials for survival.
Original Source: www.sciencenews.org
