Perspective photograph of the double-pointed throwing stick from Schöningen, Germany.Credit: Volker Minkus (CC-BY 4.0)
Posted on 07/23/2023 7:26:52 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists have unearthed the oldest large collection of wooden tools made by humans at a site in Schöningen, Germany. The artefacts date back to about 300,000 years ago.
Included in what ancient people left behind are wooden spears and shorter throwing sticks that have been sharpened at both ends. It is unclear exactly which hominin is responsible for producing the tools, but their age suggests either Homo heidelbergensis or Homo neanderthalensis...
The 300,000-year-old tools found at Schöningen were analysed using micro-CT scanning, 3D microscopy and infrared spectroscopy to better understand how they were made and their potential uses. The results are published in the PLOS ONE journal.
The double-pointed stick in particular reveals new human behaviours for the time period. Made from spruce, the branch was debarked and shaped for aerodynamics and ergonomics. It is believed the wood was seasoned to prevent it from cracking and warping.
New insights from the detailed multi-analytic techniques suggest that the main purpose of the tool was as a throwing stick for hunting. This indicates "potential hunting strategies and social contexts including for communal hunts involving children," the researchers write. "The Schöningen throwing sticks may have been used to strategically disadvantage larger ungulates [hooved animals such as deer and antelope], potentially from distances of up to 30 metres."
(Excerpt) Read more at cosmosmagazine.com ...
Perspective photograph of the double-pointed throwing stick from Schöningen, Germany.Credit: Volker Minkus (CC-BY 4.0)
WOW they had Sergeant Majors
I have my doubts that could pierce the skin of a large animal being thrown. Jabbed maybe.
Pointed sticks came into use after various kinds of fresh fruit came to be seen as inefficient. :^)
Stick one pointy end in the ground, repeat in a line.
Stampede a herd into the line of pointy sticks.
Harvest the ones who impale themselves.
😆😋
What really impressed archeologists is the fact that one end was flat edged, while the other end was a Phillips head.
You win the internet today.
Speaking of ancient tools, I wonder, which was invented first — the ball or the peen?
The first cheerleader baton.
And, constructed by a female!
LOL
Researchers In Germany Have Unearthed 400,000-Year-Old Wooden Spears
Yeah, and best of all, I’d posted aboutt this before to some extent:
https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3839045/posts
the 400K old spears:
https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2605262/posts
https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2932989/posts
https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3352639/posts
https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3833858/posts
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