Discoveries from the ancient Aurignacian culture in central Europe have unveiled the secrets of Stone Age teamwork in creating thick, sturdy ropes. Among stone tools and other artifacts, a mammoth ivory tool has been found, estimated to be between 35,000 and 40,000 years old based on radiocarbon dating of animal bones bearing stone tool marks. Researchers have dismissed previous suggestions that similar mammoth ivory artifacts were ritual objects or tools for straightening wooden shafts or working leather. Instead, microscopic wear and plant residue on the Hohle Fels artifact indicated that it was used for making rope, dating back to between 52,000 and 41,000 years ago among European Neandertals (SN: 4/9/20).
2024-01-31 14:00:00
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