Systematic bone tool production at 1.5 million years ago

Area of Science:

• Paleoanthropology
• Archaeology
• Primate Evolution

Background:

• Stone tool technology predates the genus Homo, with origins potentially tracing back to early primates.
• Osseous (bone) technologies are typically associated with later hominins from around 2 million years ago (Ma).
• The earliest systematic bone tool production was previously confined to European Acheulean sites (400-250 thousand years ago).

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and analyze a novel assemblage of bone tools from Olduvai Gorge.
• To investigate the technological capabilities of early hominins in East Africa regarding bone tool manufacture.
• To reassess the understanding of early Homo toolkits and cultural innovations.

Main Methods:

• Excavation of a single stratigraphic horizon at Olduvai Gorge.
• Analysis of large mammal limb bone fragments (hippopotamus, elephant) shaped by knapping.
• Technological and morphological standardization assessment of the bone artefacts.

Main Results:

• Discovery of a significant assemblage of knapped bone tools dated to 1.5 Ma.
• Identification of various tools, including massive elongated implements, fashioned from large mammal bones.
• Evidence of a transfer and adaptation of stone knapping skills to bone by East African hominins.

Conclusions:

• Early Acheulean hominins at Olduvai Gorge developed standardized bone tools, demonstrating an original cultural innovation.
• This finding pushes back the timeline for systematic osseous technology production by over 1 million years.
• The sophisticated bone tool production challenges previous assumptions about early hominin technological repertoires.