Homo not the only tool maker... discovered by accident

in #origins7 years ago

Stone tools have pretty much been thought to be the handiwork of our genus Homo.

That is in a state of change. The Austrolopiths were not considered big brained enough or smart enough to manufacture stone tools.

Some questioning of that has been made in recent years due to the fact that bones of the hand in the more primitive genus would allow for tool making.

Australopithecus africanus and other Pleistocene hominins, traditionally considered not to have made stone tools, have a human-like trabecular bone pattern in their hand bones that’s consistent with tool use.

A new site in Kenya is further supporting this.

The site is 3.3 million years old and is already linked to Kenyanthropus platyops which is definitely not Homo genus.

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Now, the Lomekwi artifacts show that those ideas are correct – at least one group of ancient hominin started intentionally knapping stones to make tools long before previously thought. These new archaeological finds are yet another paradigm-shifting discovery from the Lake Turkana basin.

As is often the case this site was discovered by accident after taking a wrong turn but feeling a good feel about the place. The team fanned out and it wasn't long before someone stumble upon an artifact.


source

Many of my best finds have simply been from getting a feeling about a place when running around doing field work.

I have often picked up the best artifacts within a couple of minutes of arrival and then when going back later only to find not much more of interest is easily accessible.

I always find it interesting how it works out that way, in many areas of science.... there is the hard diligent graft and then there is the accidental discovery and the stroke of inspiration.

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Good job, I think, is somehow the same like when you force yourself to write something interesting for example, but nothing comes and when you are relaxed and detach, all the inspirational wave starts flowing..

Exactly, forcing it doesn't work... when the mind is quiet, inspiration works its magic.

Nice Post! That has to be one of the coolest job to dig old stuff up for a living.

^UPVOTE^

Also, Dude, Homo is not the preferred nomenclature...

LOL... paleo-anthropologically speaking

Upvote for 'nomenclature', wow!

It has become clear with more evidence that the origin of our genus remains murky, and that Homo may not have been the earliest toolmaker and meat eater in our family tree.

that is for sure

was Homo the first species in our line of evolution to expand their range beyond tropical and subtropical environments into temperate climatic zones of the Old World, where they encountered relatively cold winters?

Jury is out... to little info

this world will be grateful if u found more useful items like those u have stated

Serendipity!

we underestimate the life around us so much

interesting article!

Hello brother @gavvet
I would like to say thank you for your great help
I appreciate that much, and I do not forget the help that I get
شكرا اخى كثير على المساعدة
( جزاك الله خير )

If its possible to enter time machines and interview our early ancestors in order go get to the truth of who invented the first stone tool, I will power down and buy a ticket...Good post indeed and thanks for your great contents

Someone will claim false credit... we could just go to the patent office...

Great, lets use our steem power to cover the costs...good one

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