Archaeologists in China have made a groundbreaking discovery at the Paleolithic site of Gantangqing, uncovering the oldest collection of wooden tools used for plant gathering. The findings, published in Science, push back the timeline for the use of wooden tools by 150,000 years and provide new insights into human technological evolution.
Dating back an estimated 361,000 years, the tools were crafted from coniferous trees, with 70% made from pine wood. The discovery includes digging sticks, soft hammers, and hook-like instruments that suggest early humans in this region of China relied on a plant-based diet, diverging from hunting-focused activities.
Researchers believe the wooden tools replaced stone tools due to the absence of essential raw materials for stone tool production. The sophisticated understanding of how to extract plant resources using various tools indicates a high level of technological innovation unique to East Asia.
The findings have rewritten a narrative that previously placed East Asia in a less advanced category than the West. The study’s authors emphasize the importance of organic artifacts in interpreting early human behavior and highlight the need for further research into this region’s cultural and technological developments.
This discovery not only sheds new light on human history but also challenges existing theories about the development of tool technology in different parts of the world.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/culture/china-oldest-wooden-tools-shake-up-archaeology