Ancient Bone Tools in Tanzania Illuminate Early Human Evolution

Researchers have unearthed the oldest known bone tools, dating back 1.5 million years, at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Made from elephant and hippo bones, these tools show early hominins’ use of advanced knapping techniques typically linked to stone tool production. The findings indicate a significant leap in cognitive abilities, as these hominins adapted their skills, suggesting complex mental development much earlier than previously recognized.

Recent findings have uncovered the oldest known human-made bone tools, estimated to be 1.5 million years old, thereby significantly enhancing our understanding of early human intelligence. These tools, discovered at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, are formed from elephant and hippopotamus leg bones and predate the previously oldest bone tools by one million years.

Led by Ignacio de la Torre, a Paleolithic archaeologist at the Spanish National Research Council, the research reveals that early hominins employed the technique of “knapping”—a method primarily associated with stone tools. This process involves striking one stone with another to create sharp edges and suggests substantial advancements in human cognitive abilities, indicating that these early individuals adapted their skills to bone working.

The team meticulously analyzed 27 bone fragments, establishing that they were intentionally shaped by hominins rather than altered by natural processes or scavengers. The bones, selected for their durability, came from elephants, hippos, and a cow-like species, with dimensions ranging from 8.6 to 15 inches for elephant bones and 7 to 11.8 inches for hippo bones. These tools likely facilitated tasks like processing animal carcasses.

While the specific hominin species responsible for the creation of these tools remains unidentified, both Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei inhabited the region during that period. This finding alters our perceptions of human evolution, demonstrating that early hominins were experimenting with bone tools long before they developed larger stone implements such as hand axes.

Study co-author Renata Peters of University College London expressed excitement over this ancient discovery, stating that it reflects the capability of human ancestors to transfer skills between materials, showcasing a level of cognitive complexity previously unseen in the archaeological record for another million years.

The discovery of the oldest known human-made bone tools in Tanzania marks a pivotal advancement in understanding early hominins’ cognitive development. By employing techniques synonymous with stone tool-making, these early ancestors demonstrated an ability to adapt skills across mediums. This increases our comprehension of human evolution, highlighting that experimentation with materials took precedence far earlier than previously thought.

Original Source: caliber.az