The oldest archaeological site in the world
TLDRA team of archaeologists uncovered ancient stone tools in Northern Kenya dating back 3.3 million years, 700,000 years older than previous finds. The tools show a sophisticated understanding of fracture mechanics and material selection, indicating a high degree of intelligence and planning by early human ancestors. Expert analysis provides insight into the cognitive capabilities required for conceptualizing, creating and using these tools, challenging conventional assumptions about human evolution and technology.
Takeaways
- 😲The oldest known stone tools found prior to this discovery were 2.6 million years old. The tools found at Lomekwi site are 700,000 years older.
- 🧠Analysis of the tools and site suggests Early Hominins had advanced cognitive abilities - being able to plan, visualize end goal, understand fracture mechanics.
- 🔎The tools were deliberately made - with uniform, repeated flaking in one direction and tiny useless flakes found at site.
- 🤔It's hard to determine exactly which early Hominin species made the tools, but prime suspects based on geography and time period are Australopithecus or Kenyanthropus.
- 😮Over 150 tools found at Lomekwi site, much more than an accidental natural occurrence.
- 🚶♂️The tools were made from rock found 100m away, suggesting Early Hominins purposefully transported heavy rock to make tools.
- 🛠️The tools included both hammer stones and anvils - Early Hominins seemingly knew which type of hard rock to select for each tool.
- 🦍Primitive tool use likely originated much earlier than we thought based on this discovery.
- 🌳Tool use probably began with organic materials like sticks or grass that don't preserve over millions of years in the archaeological record.
- 🗺️East Africa was probably home to many groups of tool-using hominins 3 million years ago.
Q & A
How old are the oldest stone tools found at Lomekwi 3?
-The stone tools found at Lomekwi 3 are about 3.3 million years old, making them the oldest known stone tools.
What evidence suggests the rocks at Lomekwi 3 were deliberately knapped?
-Evidence includes the uniform way flakes were removed, refitted cores and flakes, the presence of tiny useless flakes from knapping, and the lack of other large rocks in the area.
Which hominin species is considered the top contender for making the Lomekwi tools?
-Kenyanthropus platyops is considered the top contender because it was found just 5 km away and dates to around the same time period.
How far were the rocks carried to produce tools at Lomekwi 3?
-The rocks were carried around 100 meters to the spot where tools were produced at Lomekwi 3.
What properties did the hominins select for in the rocks used at Lomekwi 3?
-The hominins selected the hardest rocks (basalt) to use as anvils and rocks called phonolite that were better for flaking into tools.
What evidence shows planning and forethought by the Lomekwi tool makers?
-The deliberate selection and transport of specific rocks, systematic knapping technique, and contextual use of the tools indicates planning and forethought.
How do the Lomekwi tools compare to Oldowan tools?
-The Lomekwi tools are much larger and made on cores, whereas Oldowan tools could be held in one hand and were sharp flakes.
Why is it difficult to definitively link any particular hominin species to the Lomekwi tools?
-There is insufficient fossil evidence directly linking species to tools from over 3 million years ago due to the incompleteness of the archaeological record.
How have perspectives on tool use capabilities of non-Homo species changed recently?
-Recent evidence indicates species like Australopithecus and Paranthropus likely also made tools, challenging the idea that only Homo species were tool makers.
Do the researchers think even older stone tools will eventually be discovered?
-Yes, the researchers believe there were likely even older stone tools made prior to Lomekwi 3 given the sophistication of the tools already evident at Lomekwi.
Outlines
🐒 Monkeys demonstrate tool use
The paragraph highlights capuchin monkeys using tools like smashing seed pods with rocks to access the seeds inside. This shows how primates instinctively use tools like humans. Many primates, especially chimpanzees, are known to utilize tools as well like sticks, rocks or branches.
🔧 Humans rely on tools
Humans depend on tools for survival and have become evolutionarily adapted to this dependence unlike any other species. We can modify tools and use them to create more tools in complex behaviors and ideas not seen in other primates. This shows the longevity of humanity's connection to tools.
😮 Oldowan tools set an early precedent
The Oldowan tools dated 2.6 million years old were long thought to be the earliest human-made tools. But upon further analysis, researchers found them to showcase more skill and complexity that raises doubts that they were the first ever tools, suggesting instead that an earlier archaeological record exists.
🚧 The discovery at Lomekwi
The chance discovery at the Lomekwi site of stone tools on the surface leads the team to start excavating deeper to over 150 in situ artifacts dated 3.3 million years old. Further analysis of deliberate knapping and selective transport of specific rock material confirms to the team that these are the oldest known tools.
🕵️♂️ Who were the mysterious toolmakers?
It's difficult to definitively link any known early human ancestor fossils to the Lomekwi tools given the incomplete nature of the archaeological record. Potential candidates include species that overlap geographically and temporally like Australopithecus afarensis and Kenyanthropus platyops but there is still uncertainty.
🤯 The meaning of the discovery
The tools showcase sophisticated cognition in the ability of early hominins to plan sequences of tool creation and use while adapting to their environment. This challenges traditional assumptions about human ancestors and shows the importance of considering both fossil and archaeological records.
🦧 Seeing ourselves in our ancestors
Just as we empathize with monkeys using tools, had we seen one of these early upright hominins going through the deliberate motions to create these tools, we would undoubtedly see ourselves in them and recognize them as early ancestors.
🚀 There may be more discoveries ahead
While Lomekwi establishes early evidence of tool use, there could be even older tools still to be discovered. There could also be unseen organic technologies used by ancestors beyond stone tools that give insight into their abilities.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡tools
💡archaeology
💡stone tools
💡hominins
💡Australopithecus
💡knapping
💡cognition
💡forethought
💡prehistory
💡evolution
Highlights
The oldest tools found at Lomekwi 3 date to 3.3 million years ago, extending the archaeological record by 700,000 years.
Over 150 tools were found at Lomekwi 3, made of phonolite and basalt due to their ideal properties for flaking and use as an anvil.
The tools show sophistication - uniform, repeated flaking in one direction along the same platform requiring advanced conceptualization.
Tiny useless flakes found next to the tools indicate knapping took place on site at Lomekwi 3.
The tools were much larger than any rocks found naturally in the deposits, indicating selection and transport by hominins.
Hominin species living at the right time include Australopithecus afarensis and Kenyanthropus platyops found just 5km away.
Tool making may be linked to a dynamic environment with groups experimenting with stone tool use rather than any one species.
Carrying 10-20kg rocks 100 meters shows planning, forethought and acceptance of predation risk for tool making.
Selection of higher density basalt for anvils and ideal phonolite for flaking shows understanding of fracture mechanics.
This complex, multi-step tool creation process demonstrates significant planning, conceptualization and intelligence.
The tools can't reveal brain size but indicate impressive cognitive processing abilities in these early hominins.
Seeing the hominins make these tools, we would recognize ourselves and our earliest ancestors.
There were likely earlier organic tools that will never be found due to preservation limits.
There is likely more time to go back to find even earlier stone tools preceding Lomekwi 3.
The tools stand alongside fossils to reveal hominin cognition unseen in brain size alone.
Transcripts
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