Megalopolis: Researchers have uncovered two wooden artifacts along a lakeshore in Greece, which are now considered the oldest known wooden tools, dating back approximately 430,000 years. These findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provide intriguing insights into the tool-making capabilities of early humans.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the two artifacts include a slender stick, about 2½ feet (80 centimeters) long, possibly used for digging into muddy ground, and a smaller, handheld piece made from willow or poplar wood, believed to have been used in shaping stone tools. The discovery is significant as wooden tools are rarely preserved due to their rapid decomposition over time, typically surviving only in specific conditions such as icy environments, caves, or underwater settings.
The tools were found in the Megalopolis basin, where they were likely preserved by wet conditions after being rapidly buried by sediment. Previous excavations at the site have also revealed stone tools and elephant bones with cut marks, suggesting a rich history of tool use. Although the wooden tools themselves were not directly dated, the site is estimated to be around 430,000 years old, offering clues to the age of the artifacts.
Study author Annemieke Milks from the University of Reading expressed excitement about the discovery, saying, 'I've always just been thrilled to be able to touch these objects.' Despite the lack of human remains, the tools may have been used by Neanderthals, early human ancestors, or other hominins.
Archaeologist Jarod Hutson from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History noted that while the site may hold more discoveries, the simplicity of the tools makes interpretation challenging. This find contributes to the scarce examples of ancient wooden tools, highlighting an often-overlooked aspect of early human technology.