A new discovery in Olduvai Gorge, northern Tanzania, has uncovered the oldest known collection of mass-produced bone tools, dating back 1.5 million years. The find, published in Nature journal, suggests that early human ancestors had advanced reasoning skills a million years earlier than previously thought.
The bone tools were crafted by carefully chipping off flakes from bones to create useful shapes, indicating a level of complex cognition. Researchers believe that these early humans could transfer skills from stone to bone, showcasing their ability to adapt and innovate.
Similar discoveries have been made in the hominin family tree, with species like Homo habilis using simple tools for about 2.6 million years and later Homo erectus making more complex stone tools. However, this new find highlights the sophisticated material choices made by early humans, including selecting specific types of quartzite for particular tools.
The discovery supports previous research that suggests early toolmakers had a basic understanding of material properties, such as sharpness and durability. This cognitive ability allowed them to create effective tools with minimal planning and measurement, demonstrating impressive problem-solving skills.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/03/prehistoric-bone-tool-cache-suggests-advanced-reasoning-in-early-hominins