Archaeologists have identified a 500,000-year-old elephant bone hammer in England, now considered the oldest tool of its kind in Europe. The discovery highlights the ingenuity of prehistoric communities who transformed rare materials into valuable implements.

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Prehistoric Elephant Bone Tool Unearthed in England

Discovery and Context

• The tool was found in Boxgrove, near Chichester in West Sussex, during excavations in the 1990s.
• At first, its significance was overlooked, but recent analysis by University College London (UCL) and the Natural History Museum revealed that the bone fragment was intentionally shaped for use as a hammer.
• Measuring 11 centimetres, the fragment is now recognized as the oldest elephant bone tool in Europe.

Significance of the Find

• Lead researcher Simon Parfitt explained that elephants and mammoths were uncommon in prehistoric England, making the bone a valuable resource.
• The discovery demonstrates the resourcefulness and advanced knowledge of early humans, who understood both the properties of local materials and the techniques needed to craft refined stone tools.
• The bone tool was likely used as a “retoucher”—a hammering device to sharpen and reshape stone tools through a process called knapping.

Methods of Analysis

• Researchers employed 3D scanning and electron microscopy to study the surface of the bone.
• Distinctive notches and marks confirmed repeated use, showing that prehistoric people deliberately shaped and reused the tool.
• The strength of elephant bone made it particularly suitable for striking stone edges without breaking.

Broader Implications

• Co-author Dr Silvia Bello emphasized that the find reflects complex thinking and abstract planning among early humans.
• The ability to collect, shape, and reuse rare materials demonstrates a sophisticated level of tool-making far earlier than previously recognized.
• This discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that prehistoric communities were innovative and adaptive, capable of exploiting diverse resources for survival.

Related Discoveries

• The study follows other breakthroughs in archaeology, such as the identification of poison-laced weapons in South Africa dating back 60,000 years.
• Together, these findings reveal that early humans across different regions had already developed advanced knowledge of materials and hunting techniques.

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Conclusion

The Boxgrove elephant bone hammer is more than just a fragment of prehistory—it is a testament to the creativity, intelligence, and adaptability of our ancient ancestors. By transforming rare resources into practical tools, they laid the foundation for the technological innovations that define human history.

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Source: The Independent