The oldest grinding tool found in Israel

The oldest grinding tool found in Israel
The oldest grinding tool found in Israel
Anonim

Israel's archaeologists say they have discovered "the oldest grinding tool" dating back about 350,000 years. For a long time, scientists did not pay attention to this stone, because of its "too simple" appearance.

Sometimes even archaeologists find it difficult to understand what is right before their eyes: a stone or a historical value?

Found in Tabun Cave in northern Israel, the weapon is a cobblestone that was used even before the appearance of Homo Sapiens. Scientists have known for a long time that this cave was inhabited during the Lower and Middle Paleolithic period (500,000 - 40,000 years ago), but only now have they paid attention to this subject.

The found stone was used by ancient people for grinding soft materials, but which ones are still unknown. Most likely, these were animal skins, but whether they were needed for the further manufacture of clothing or something else, this question remains a mystery. Previously, it was believed that such tools appeared much later, about 200,000 years ago.

Archaeologists note that there are earlier stone tools. For example, during the time, stones were discovered that were used more than 3 million years ago, but they were used for impacts, that is, for vertical movements. Footprints on the new cobblestone indicate horizontal, more complex movements.

"Such an important technology entered the hominid arsenal very early," archaeologists say. “The small stone is of immense importance because it allows us to find the origins of grinding and how cognitive and motor abilities, developed during human evolution, ultimately led to important phenomena in modern human culture, primarily related to the abrasive processing of materials. and the development of new ways of food production. The technology has found application in food production and storage, agriculture."

Recommended: