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الوسم: ancient humans

  • Ancient Humans’ 800,000-Year-Old Choice of the Perfect Stone

    Ancient Humans’ 800,000-Year-Old Choice of the Perfect Stone

    A recent study reveals that ancient human ancestors were more organized and skilled than previously believed. Nearly 800,000 years ago, they intentionally selected different types of stone for specific tools rather than randomly gathering whatever rocks were nearby.

    These discoveries suggest that early humans had a detailed understanding of their environment, demonstrated advanced planning skills, and maintained technological traditions across many generations.

    The research, published in Scientific Reports, centered on the archaeological site of Gesher Benot Ya’aqov (GBY) in present-day Israel. Dating back approximately 780,000 years, the site provides evidence of repeated visits by Acheulian hominins—a primitive human group recognized for crafting large stone tools. Past excavations at GBY uncovered a significant collection of artifacts, including stone tools, signs of controlled fire, plant use, fish handling, and animal processing. Among their preferred materials was basalt, a durable volcanic rock well-suited for producing sizable cutting implements like hand axes and cleavers.

    While scientists understood that creating these tools involved a complex process—selecting large basalt slabs, shaping them into giant cores, then removing flakes to refine the desired tool—the new study aimed to identify where these hominins sourced their basalt.

    Researchers examined the chemical makeup of basalt tools found at the site. Each basalt flow has a distinct chemical signature, akin to a geological fingerprint. By comparing these signatures with those of basalt samples from surrounding regions, the investigators could determine the original source of the stone.

    Findings showed many tools were crafted from basalt coming from sources within about a kilometer of the site. Interestingly, some tools matched basalt flows now buried deep underground and no longer visible on the surface. This information helped reconstruct ancient landscapes that existed hundreds of thousands of years ago before geological processes like earthquakes, erosion, and sediment deposition dramatically changed the terrain. The region lies along the tectonically active Dead Sea Transform, an area where Earth’s shifting plates have continually reshaped the landscape over time.

    The study also revealed that different tool types correlated with different basalt sources. Large cores often originated from nearby or now-buried local basalt, while some cleavers came from more distant sources. This pattern suggests that hominins deliberately selected stones based on their specific qualities, such as size, shape, internal structure, and suitability for particular manufacturing techniques.

    Evidence indicates these stone selection practices persisted over tens of thousands of years and were likely passed down through generations. The consistent reuse of these methods highlights that early humans weren’t merely surviving—they were learning about and actively understanding their environment.

    Nearly 800,000 years ago, they knew where to find the optimal stone, how to process it, and which types suited different tools. In essence, they possessed a surprisingly sophisticated knowledge of their material resources, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right rock for each task—a remarkable achievement for that era.

  • Neanderthals Likely Conducted Dental Surgery 60,000 Years Ago

    Neanderthals Likely Conducted Dental Surgery 60,000 Years Ago

    A new discovery suggests that Neanderthals might have performed dental procedures nearly 60,000 years ago. Scientists analyzed an ancient molar found in Siberia’s Chagyrskaya Cave, revealing evidence that these early humans likely used sharp stone tools to drill into a painful cavity, making it the oldest known example of dental treatment.

    Published in PLOS One, the study was led by researcher Alisa Zubova from Russia’s Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography. The molar belonged to a Neanderthal who lived approximately 59,000 years ago. At its center, scientists identified a deep hole that extended into the pulp cavity—the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.

    Initially, the shape of the hole puzzled researchers. It didn’t resemble typical tooth decay or natural damage. Under microscopic examination, they observed distinct scratches inside the cavity, indicating the hole was deliberately made rather than resulting from accidental damage.

    To explore further, scientists performed experiments on modern human teeth using sharp stone points similar to tools recovered from the same cave. The patterns and grooves produced during these experiments closely matched the microscopic marks inside the Neanderthal molar.

    The evidence suggests that the Neanderthal may have experienced a severe cavity or infection and used the stone tools to remove infected tissue, likely alleviating pain. Although such an invasive procedure would have been extremely painful, it could have provided lasting relief. The wear marks on the tooth also indicate the individual survived the treatment and continued to use the tooth afterward.

    This finding highlights a surprising level of medical knowledge among Neanderthals. It shows they could identify sources of pain, understand how to treat them, and skillfully manipulate tools for medical procedures. Performing such work would have required patience and resilience from the patient.

    While previous evidence has shown that Neanderthals used toothpicks and possibly medicinal plants, this is the first clear indication that they conducted direct dental interventions. The discovery redefines ideas about Neanderthal intelligence and everyday life, revealing that they may have possessed practical medical skills far earlier than previously thought.

    Researchers conclude that this finding pushes back the history of dental treatment by more than 40,000 years and suggests that complex healthcare behaviors were not exclusive to modern humans.