an international team of researchers from Japan, Hong Kong and Ethiopia have discovered a rare bone axe, which, in their opinion, was made one of the human ancestors about 1.4 million years ago.
a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and briefly about it tells Phys.org.
a Unique artifact was discovered in Ethiopia during the excavations in a place called Konso-Gardola. Earlier on the same site, scientists have found some axes that were made by the representatives of the human species Homo erectus. All these tools were made of stone.
However, in this case the weapons were made of bone. It’s only the second bone axe Homo erectus known to science. The analysis showed that its age is about 1.4 million years. Laboratory examination helped to determine that the artifact was made from the femur of a Hippo.
the Axe has an oval shape, its length was approximately 13 centimeters. Sharp was only one edge. Probably, the ancient master used for sharpening other tools, presumably stone.
By design, bone axe similar to the stone axes discovered here previously. However, the technology of their production is probably a little bit different. Stone tools were made quite in a primitive way. The master was quite strong and one sharp blow to split the stone. As a result, there were sharp cutting edge. If with one blow it was not possible to do, followed a second blow, followed, if necessary, again and again.
In the case of a bone with an axe, apparently, the master had to work a little longer, because the bone is the one-two punch to sharpen. It required effort, it was monotonous work.
by the Way, conducted with the aid of a microscope analysis showed that bone axe is not just used for the purpose. On its surface, scientists have discovered a typical chips and scratches. The researchers suggest that the tool was used for butchering the products of hunting animals.
the design also indicates that members of the species Homo erectus was quite skilled in making tools. And this, in turn, is a sign that they were smart enough and developed.
Researchers, however, have been unable to explain why the ancient master decided to use a bone of the hippopotamus is much firmer and more reliable stone.
