A team of archeologists in South Africa has made a groundbreaking discovery at a cave overlooking the country’s southern coast. The newly found stone tools, estimated to be around 20,000 years old, provide exciting new insights into how humans lived and interacted during that time. The site is 23 meters above sea level, making it a challenging climb for the team.
Archeologist Sara Watson explains that the physical challenge of accessing the site has helped preserve it over thousands of years. The tools, weighing around 50 pounds, were used to make blades between 24,000 and 12,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene era. This period was marked by significant climate fluctuations, with ice ages and interglacial periods.
The discovery includes tiny dental tools and thousands of small, sharp blades, as well as larger pieces of rock from which these blades were chipped. While it’s difficult to determine their exact use, theories suggest they may have been part of composite tools and projectile weapons. The team observed specific patterns in the core reduction of these tools, indicating a level of social information sharing.
Notably, similar methods of toolmaking have been found hundreds of miles away in Namibia and Lesotho, suggesting international knowledge sharing among ancient humans. The site may have been used as a temporary camp rather than a permanent residence.
Watson emphasizes that the discovery highlights humanity’s rich history, with people living during the last ice age being remarkably similar to us today.
Source: https://www.popsci.com/science/archaeologists-hike-up-a-cliff-and-find-20000-year-old-stone-tools