Ancient Kenyan Tools: Evidence of Early Paranthropus Tool Use

Govind Tekale

Scientists in Kenya unearthed ancient stone tools that are helping us learn about our early human evolution. These tools date back to over 3 million years predating the existence of modern humans.

Photo Credits: Gary Todd (CC0 1.0)

Tom Plummer and his team discovered  these tools while digging in Kenya's Homa Peninsula. The tools are simple but clever - sharp stone flakes made by striking  one rock against another. Even after millions of years, these stone "knives" have retained their sharpness.

Photo Credits: Gary Todd (CC0 1.0)

The tools weren't made by our direct ancestors. The team found a tooth from a different ancient human relative called Paranthropus near the tools. This means other human-like species had better dexterity and cognition to create these tools even before our human ancestors.

Photo Source: Ryan Schwark (CC0 1.0)

Rick Potts from the Smithsonian helps lead the research in Kenya,emphasising on the survival of human beings, he says "We are the last two-legged human relative still around.

Photo Source: Fuzheado (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Rose Nyaboke, who digs for fossils at the site, says they have to be very careful about what they collect. "We don't just pick up anything," she says. "It has to tell us something important about the past."

Photo Credits:  James St. John (CC BY 2.0)

The team can't use regular carbon dating because the tools are ancient. Instead, they look for clues in the ancient volcanic ash and other remains to understand their age.

Photo Credits: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)

These finds are changing what we know about human history. Scientists believed, many big changes, like walking on two legs and making tools, happened fairly recently. Now they know these changes took place over a much longer time - approximately 6 million years.

Photo Source: UK Database(CC BY-SA 4.0)

Each new discovery in Kenya helps us better understand the development of early tool use and technology. This helps explain the long path that led to modern humans.

Photo Source: UK Database (CC BY 2.0)

Next Story

Ancient Chinese Tomb Yields 350 Artifacts