AMMAN, Jordan – Early human ancestors in southern Jordan displayed a level of sophistication in selecting the right rocks for tool-making, a recent study revealed. Archaeologists from Nagoya University in Japan, Eiki Suga, and Seiji Kadowaki, found that these ancient humans deliberately chose specific types of flint based on their properties.
Published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology, the study focused on prehistoric sites dating back to 70,000 to 30,000 years ago in the Jebel Qalkha area of southern Jordan. As Homo sapiens expanded from Africa into Eurasia, they relied on stone tools crafted from materials like obsidian and flint. Understanding how these tools were made sheds light on the culture and daily life of early humans.
Suga and Kadowaki used devices like the Schmidt Hammer and Rockwell Hardness Device to test the rocks’ qualities. They discovered that fine-grained flint was easier to shape into smaller tools, while medium-grained flint was more durable and suitable for larger tools. This intentional selection of flint suggests a sophisticated understanding by Paleolithic humans of the characteristics of different rocks.
According to Suga, the deliberate choice of lithic raw material was crucial for the production of stone tools, showcasing a level of technological sophistication and adaptability among early humans. This study highlights the importance of examining archaeological remains, such as stone tools, to understand the evolution of human technological behavior and environmental adaptation.
The research emphasizes the ingenuity and adaptability of Paleolithic humans in selecting materials for tool-making. By analyzing these choices, researchers can uncover how early humans adapted to their environments and developed strategies for survival and growth. Each discovery in archaeology adds a new piece to the puzzle of human evolution, showcasing the complex journey that has brought us to where we are today.