A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in Greece is rewriting our understanding of early human ingenuity. Researchers have unearthed what are believed to be the world’s oldest wooden tools, dating back approximately 430,000 years, offering an unprecedented look at the technological capabilities of our ancestors. The remarkably preserved artifacts,found in the basin of Megalópolis,challenge the long-held assumption that early toolmaking was limited to stone and bone.
G. Prieto / K. Harvati
The remarkable find challenges our understanding of early toolmaking and the cognitive abilities of hominins.
Archaeologists working at a site near a lake in southern Greece have unearthed what are believed to be the world’s oldest wooden tools, dating back approximately 430,000 years. The discovery provides a rare glimpse into the technological capabilities of early humans and their ancestors.
The two artifacts were recovered from the basin of Megalópolis, a region long recognized by researchers for its rich archaeological record.
One of the tools is a slender wooden shaft roughly 2.6 feet long, which scientists believe was used for digging or probing the muddy shoreline of the lake. This suggests a deliberate effort to interact with and modify the environment.
The second artifact is smaller and more enigmatic: a fragment of willow or poplar wood that researchers theorize was employed to shape or retouch stone tools. This hints at a sophisticated understanding of materials and manufacturing processes.
The findings were published this month in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
While stone and bone tools from ancient humans are relatively common, wooden tools are exceptionally rare due to the rapid decomposition of wood over time.
These artifacts are typically preserved only in exceptional conditions, such as ice, caves, or waterlogged environments.
In this case, researchers believe the tools were quickly buried by sediment and preserved by consistently damp conditions, which slowed the decay process.
Previous excavations at the site have revealed stone tools and elephant bones bearing cut marks, indicating repeated human activity in the area.
Although the wooden tools themselves weren’t directly dated, the surrounding geological layers are estimated to be around 430,000 years old, providing a reliable age range for the artifacts.
According to study author Annemieke Milks of the University of Reading, the discovery holds significance on both a personal and scientific level. “I’ve always been excited to be able to touch these objects,” she told the Associated Press.
No human remains have been found at the site to date, leaving open the question of who made and used the tools. Potential candidates include Neanderthals, earlier human ancestors, or other hominin groups that inhabited the region at the time.
“This discovery offers a rare glimpse into a little-known aspect of toolmaking by early humans,” said study author Katerina Harvati, of the University of Tübingen.
