Articles tagged with Stone Age
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A remarkable prehistoric hammer made from elephant bone has been uncovered in southern England and analysed by archaeologists. The roughly 500,000-year-old tool provides an extraordinary glimpse into the ingenuity of early human ancestors who made it, likely either early neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis.
Neolithic farmers in Central Europe integrated new cereal varieties into their range of crops between the 6th and early 4th millennium BCE. This led to more resilient and flexible agriculture, enabling the cultivation of winter and summer crops and adapting to changing environmental conditions.
A recent study has uncovered new insights into Stone Age life and death, showing that women and children were as likely to be buried with stone tools as men. The discovery at Zvejnieki cemetery in northern Latvia suggests a shared ritual tradition across the eastern Baltic region.
A new study reveals that early modern humans at Blombos Cave in South Africa used ochre as a multi-use tool for stone toolmaking, showcasing advanced technical skills. The discovery challenges traditional interpretations of ochre and highlights its integral role within technological systems.
Researchers challenge claims of an incestuous ruling elite in Neolithic Ireland, citing a lack of evidence and unsuitable comparisons. The study argues that burial practices were not strictly determined by lineage, but rather reflect the community's social dynamics.
Prehistoric people used slow cooking to carefully extract animal teeth, challenging the assumption that they were scavenged. The most effective methods were pit steaming and wet cooking, which also allowed for meat consumption and bone tool-making.
The Philippine archipelago has been found to have a sophisticated ancient technology dating back over 30,000 years, with evidence of seafaring capabilities and specific fishing skills. The discovery highlights the region's significance in the narrative of human migration and adaptation in Island Southeast Asia.
Researchers at Cleveland Museum of Natural History propose that early humans used naturally sharp rocks as cutting tools before developing their own stone technology. This new hypothesis challenges current understanding of the origin of stone knapping, suggesting a more extensive use of natural resources than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed human remains from a settlement site in Kosenivka, Ukraine, providing insights into the lives of ancient people. The study found that meat made up less than 10% of their diets, with plant-based foods being the primary source of nutrition.
An international team of researchers has confirmed the location of the oldest ochre mine in the world, dating back around 48,000 years. Ochre was found to have spread from the mine to nearby areas, revealing ancient extraction and transport networks.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that South African rock art from the 19th century may be inspired by an extinct species of tusked animal called a dicynodont. The artwork, created by the San people, features a long-bodied animal with downward-turned tusks that is comparable to fossilized remains found in the region.
New research suggests that the plague may have contributed to the population decline of Stone Age farmers in Scandinavia and Northwestern Europe. Analysis of ancient DNA from bones and teeth found that 17% of individuals were infected with the plague, indicating its common presence during the late Stone Age.
A new study from Uppsala University found that Stone Age hunter-gatherer communities in Western Europe deliberately formed distinct families to avoid inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity. The research analyzed the genomes of several individuals buried at iconic sites in France, dating back to around 6,700 years ago.
Researchers crafted replicas of Early Upper Paleolithic stone age tools and used them for various tasks. They found that combining macroscopic and microscopic traces can help identify tool functions, potentially pushing back the timeline for woodworking innovation.
Vittrup Man's genetic signature was distinct from local skeletons, suggesting a non-Scandinavian origin. His tooth enamel isotopes revealed a shift from coastal to farm food in late teens, indicating a transition to farming society in Denmark.
Genetic analysis of bone fragments at the Ranis site in Germany confirms that modern humans reached Northwestern Europe 45,000 years ago, overlapping with Neanderthals. The findings suggest that the invasion of Europe by modern humans helped drive Neanderthals to extinction.
A team of researchers from FAU and the University of Cologne analyzed images of animal tracks in Namibian rock art, determining species, age, sex, limbs, side of the body, trackway, and relative direction. They identified 20 additional animal species not present in neighboring region's rock art.
Researchers in Namibia analyzed prehistoric rock art engravings of animal tracks and human footprints, revealing surprising details about the diversity of species represented. The findings suggest culturally determined preferences in the depiction of animals, with a preference for adult male footprints.
A University of Leicester-led study suggests that ancient lakes existed in South Africa's interior during the last Ice Age, supporting hunter-gatherer communities. The research provides new insights into human migration patterns and ecosystem sensitivity to global climate change.
A study from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology found technological continuity spanning 140,000 years at Bargny 1 site in Senegal, suggesting Middle Stone Age toolkits persisted longer than thought. The research highlights long-term cultural stability in West Africa's diverse habitats.
Researchers found that a large genetic region responsible for immune responses showed rapid evolution and more Mesolithic hunter-gatherer ancestry, suggesting that genetic variants already present in Europe were passed down preferentially. This suggests that diversity in immune genes may be just as important as adaptation to lifestyle.
Scientists recreated ancient human and Denisovan noses to compare their olfactory receptor genes, finding differences in sensitivity to various odors. This research sheds light on how our closest genetic relatives perceived and interacted with their environment.
A unique Stone Age burial site in Finland uncovered a child between 3-10 years old, accompanied by bird feathers from a waterfowl or falcon, as well as dog or wolf hairs. The discovery provides valuable insights into ancient burial habits and the use of soil analysis to trace plant and animal remains.
Scientists found 12 human bone pendants out of 37 samples, which were made from elk and bovine animal bones. The discovery suggests that the use of human bones as a raw material was common in Stone Age cultures.
A study by University of Helsinki researchers suggests that some Stone Age ornaments were deliberately fragmented as part of social relations, bartering, or ritual activities. The analysis of geochemical composition and use traces revealed fragments from the same ornament found in different locations, indicating they were worn by two i...
Researchers uncovered bone remains of a first-generation African individual from Senegambia, buried in a Portuguese shell midden 350 years ago. The genetic signature and dietary analysis indicate that he was forcibly translocated to Portugal via the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
A recent discovery at Tikal reveals a previously unknown neighborhood designed to replicate Teotihuacan's citadel, sparking new insights into the interaction between the two civilizations. Excavations found evidence of occupation and surveillance, as well as artifacts linking Tikal to Teotihuacan's imperial power.
Researchers found that dancing with elk tooth ornaments creates similar wear marks on the teeth as those found in ancient Stone Age graves. The study used microanalysis to compare modern and ancient elk tooth wear marks, providing insight into the past's auditory experiences.
Researchers have uncovered the oldest known human burial in Africa, dating back to 78,000 years ago. The discovery, made at Panga ya Saidi cave site in Kenya, reveals evidence of an intentional burial and suggests that Homo sapiens practiced mortuary rites similar to those of Neanderthals.
Researchers have developed a technique using uranium-thorium dating of ostrich eggshells to precisely date garbage dumps in South Africa, revealing the site Ysterfontein 1 is over 100,000 years old and providing insight into early human settlement and population levels.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports has uncovered evidence of the youngest known occurrence of Middle Stone Age tools, dated to around 11 thousand years ago. This discovery challenges the long-held view that these tool types were replaced by a miniaturized toolkit after 30 thousand years ago.
Researchers analyzed DNA from 25 Stone Age individuals and found that those buried in typical Pitted Ware culture graves were genetically similar to earlier Scandinavian hunter-gatherers. The presence of Battle Axe culture influences in some graves suggested trade and cultural exchange between the groups, rather than genetic migration.
A study of ostrich eggshell bead exchange reveals that relationships among hunter-gatherer groups existed across hundreds of kilometers in late Middle Stone Age southern Africa. The size of the network provided access to high ecological diversity and offered a social strategy against scarcity.
Researchers used cognitive science experiments to investigate the potential symbolic function of 40,000-year-old engravings found in South Africa. The findings suggest that these engravings evolved over time to serve an aesthetic purpose and marked group identity.
A new 8,000-year-old structure has been found next to the oldest known boat building site in the world on the Isle of Wight. The site features an intact wooden platform with split timbers, providing evidence of advanced woodworking skills and technological advancements.
Researchers discovered close kin relationships among Stone Age individuals buried in megalithic tombs, suggesting a patrilineal society. The study found paternal continuity and an overrepresentation of males in some tombs.
Researchers discovered bone and tooth specimens of wild camels, elephants, horses, and antelopes at Azraq Basin site, providing insights into ancestral human adaptation to changing environments. The team found evidence of butchery and suggests that humans may have faced challenges from predatory competitors like lions and hyenas.
The oldest well-dated specialized bone tool associated with the Aterian culture of the Middle Stone Age has been discovered in Morocco, dating back approximately 90,000 years. The tool's origins and manufacture are distinct from similar-aged sub-Saharan artefacts, suggesting a unique technological industry in North Africa.
A study has revealed that women played a significant role in transporting Corded Ware pottery across the Baltic Sea, with many arriving from Estonia and Finland. The research found that these female artisans mixed crushed ceramic fragments into Finnish clay to create their distinctive pots.
A new study provides a comprehensive understanding of paleoenvironments in Kenya's Rift Valley, shedding light on how early humans adapted to rapidly changing landscapes. The research reveals that tectonics and climate played a crucial role in shaping the region's geological history and human evolution.
Three studies highlight significant shifts in climate, tool-making, and trade in East Africa around 300,000 years ago. The region underwent transformations from floodplains to grasslands, driving human mobility, information gathering, and potentially trade.
Researchers have found evidence of early human trading, color pigments, and sophisticated tools in eastern Africa, approximately 320,000 years ago. These discoveries suggest that humans adapted to an unpredictable environment through innovation and social exchange networks.
Scientists discovered genomic ancestry of Stone Age North Africans from Morocco, revealing a mix of Near Eastern and sub-Saharan African influences. The study, published in Science, sheds new light on human migration patterns and the history of our species.
Early humans in East Africa began trading with distant groups using color pigments and manufacturing more sophisticated tools around 320,000 years ago. This period of high environmental variability may have driven the emergence of complex behaviors that distinguished human lineage from other early humans.
A new study has pushed back the emergence of modern humans by an estimated 50,000 years to between 350,000 and 260,000 years ago. The findings were made possible by a collaboration between geneticists and archaeologists who reconstructed the full genome of a 2,000-year-old boy found in South Africa.
A genomic analysis of ancient human remains from KwaZulu-Natal reveals that southern Africa played a significant role in the history of humankind. The study estimates the divergence among modern humans to have occurred between 350,000 and 260,000 years ago.
The study found that Middle Stone Age humans in the Porc-Epic cave likely acquired and processed the same types of ochre over a 4,500-year period. The analysis revealed a gradual shift from grinding to flaking and scraping techniques, suggesting cultural drift within the practice.
Researchers discovered bifacial, serrated points with pressure flaking technique and hafting on projected weapons. The findings suggest early use of projectile technology in southern Africa during the Middle Stone Age.
The study reveals that Yamnaya warriors married local Stone Age women, adopting an agrarian lifestyle and forming the Corded Ware Culture. This integration led to a rapid genetic changeover from Neolithic to Corded Ware cultures in Europe.
Researchers at Lund University have mapped out an exceptionally well-preserved Stone Age site in southern Sweden, shedding light on the lives of Mesolithic humans. The discovery includes a 9,000-year-old pick axe made from elk antlers, indicating mass fishing and a semi-permanent settlement.
Researchers analyzed 21 ochre-processing tools from the Porc-Epic Cave site, revealing a range of techniques to produce powder of varying color and coarseness. The findings suggest high behavioral complexity in ochre use, with finer powders suitable for body painting and coarser ones for functional uses.
Middle Stone Age humans developed intentional heat treatment of silcrete rock to facilitate the flaking process, which impacted all subsequent stages of silcrete tool production and use. The authors suggest that this technique may provide direct evidence of the extensive use of fire applied to a whole lithic chain of production.
Researchers found similar patterns in engraved ostrich eggshells across different sites, indicating the sharing of symbolic material culture. This exchange enabled groups to adopt and adapt new technologies and cultures, contributing to the survival and development of Homo sapiens.
A study of Middle Stone Age stone tool technologies at Sibudu and Blombos revealed that similar types of tools were used by groups more than 1,000 km apart. However, differences in tool making were found between the Still Bay and Howiesons Poort assemblages, suggesting distinct cultural traditions.
A 49,000-year-old milk-and-ochre-based paint has been discovered in South Africa, predating the introduction of domestic cattle. The use of this paint raises questions about its purpose and significance.
A new study reveals that making a Lower Paleolithic hand axe requires complex cognitive control by the prefrontal cortex, including working memory and strategic thinking. The skill of making a hand axe is more complicated than previously thought, involving nuanced technological judgments.
A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has challenged the long-held idea that a cosmic impact triggered the Younger Dryas cold period. The research found that the scoria droplets believed to be evidence of an impact event were actually formed by heating most likely caused by Stone Age house fires.
A new discovery of thousands of Stone Age tools has provided a major insight into human innovation 325,000 years ago. Researchers found that Levallois technology already existed in Armenia between 325,000 and 335,000 years ago, suggesting local populations developed it independently.
Researchers find that Danes and Americans are similarly inclined to support welfare for those who are unlucky, but not lazy. The study reveals a biological and psychological basis for these attitudes, highlighting the role of reciprocal help and stereotypes in shaping public opinion.
A new study links rapid climate change in South Africa to surges in cultural innovation among early modern humans, with evidence of symbols and personal adornments. The research suggests that population growth fueled cultural changes through increased human interactions.