A groundbreaking discovery at Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania has pushed back the timeline for systematic bone tool production by over a million years. The find, which includes 27 bone tools made from large mammal limb bones, was uncovered by the Olduvai Gorge Archaeology Project between 2015 and 2022.
The discovery represents a significant shift in our understanding of early human cognition and behavior. The bone tools, which were knapped using stone tools, demonstrate advanced planning and social learning capabilities. Analysis suggests that humans were intentionally selecting and shaping animal bones for tools much earlier than previously believed.
The assemblage, dated to 1.5 million years ago, provides evidence of hominins’ knowledge of animal anatomy and material properties. The discovery also reflects a shift in how early humans interacted with animals, viewing them as sources of raw material for tools rather than just competitors or food sources.
This find is significant not only because it challenges previous assumptions but also because it offers a new angle to explore the period in question. The researchers propose two potential explanations for the delayed appearance of systematic bone tool production: preservation bias and technological shift.
The discovery, published in Nature, marks a milestone in archaeology and highlights the constant potential of new discoveries to reshape our understanding of human origins.
Source: https://the-past.com/news/early-bone-tool-production