Archaeologists have discovered 1.5 million-year-old bone tools in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge, predating previously known bone tools by approximately 1 million years. The 27 bone fragments, primarily from hippos and elephants, show signs of shaping and sharpening, likely using stone tools. The artifacts, found at a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the "Cradle of Humankind," suggest early human ancestors, or hominins, possessed advanced cognitive abilities, transferring stone toolmaking techniques to bone.
The tools, systematically produced in a consistent style, indicate a technological transition and expanded material usage beyond stone. Researchers believe these tools were used for processing animal carcasses and creating new tools, showcasing early hominins' capacity for abstract reasoning and innovation. The discovery implies a significant cognitive shift, requiring an understanding of bone properties distinct from stone.