ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel MinuteEarth Ancient Humans Made Millions Of These – We Don’t Know Why
One of the reasons our ancient human ancestors became so successful is because they learned how to make and use different tools for various tasks. But for a huge part of our history—over a million and a half years—ancient humans around the world mainly made one particular tool. The mystery is, we still don’t know exactly what it was used for.
When archaeologists find an ancient tool, they usually try three main methods to figure out what it was used for. First, they look at its shape. For example, a smaller tool might be sharp at one end and thin at the other. Next, they check for clues under a microscope. They might find something like old wood resin stuck to it. Lastly, they try to recreate how the tool might have been used. For instance, they might attach a copy of the tool to a stick and see if it can cut into a goat carcass. This might sound strange, but it helps them learn. Sometimes, these methods work, like when they discovered a tool was a spear point used for hunting big animals.
When researchers found the ancient mystery tool, they used these same methods. They noticed that each tool was carefully chipped on both sides to make sharp, even edges that come to a point. This shape seemed perfect for cutting up animals, with one end fitting nicely in the hand and the other sharp enough to cut through hides, meat, and bones. It might also have been used for gathering plants, grinding seeds, or digging up roots. Maybe it was good for sharpening sticks or making sparks to start fires. But there was no clear answer about what the tool was really for.
Archaeologists then looked at the tools under a microscope. If they were polished, it might mean they were used for grinding. Long scratches could suggest cutting, and tiny dents might mean smashing. They found tools with all these features, which didn’t rule out any ideas and even added a new one: maybe ancient humans used the mystery tool like a Swiss army knife, for lots of different jobs in their daily lives.
Surprisingly, many of the mystery tools didn’t show much wear. This could mean they were sharpened often, erasing any scratches, or maybe they were used for tasks that didn’t leave marks. So, researchers tried the third method: recreating possible uses. They tested if the tools could be thrown as weapons or placed in the ground to trap animals. They also thought the tool might be a core from which smaller, sharper tools were chipped off.
There’s also a chance these tools weren’t tools in the usual sense. Maybe early humans made them as a form of money or to impress potential mates, but these ideas are hard to prove. So, we still don’t have a definite answer.
This is puzzling. We’ve found tens of thousands of these tools all over the world, so they must have been important. Researchers aren’t giving up on solving the mystery. They’re examining as many of these tools as they can to find any clues they might have missed. For now, the purpose of the longest-used tool in human history remains a mystery.
Imagine you are an archaeologist. Create a simple tool using clay or playdough, focusing on its shape. Think about what tasks your tool could be used for based on its design. Share your creation with the class and explain your reasoning.
Use a magnifying glass to examine everyday objects like a spoon, a pencil, or a key. Look for scratches, dents, or polish marks. Discuss with your classmates what these marks might indicate about how the objects are used.
Work in groups to brainstorm and recreate a possible use for the ancient mystery tool using modern materials. Present your experiment to the class, explaining how you think ancient humans might have used the tool.
Think of as many different uses as possible for a single modern tool, like a paperclip or a rubber band. Compare your ideas with your classmates and discuss how this exercise relates to the multifunctional use of ancient tools.
Write a short story from the perspective of an ancient human using the mystery tool. Describe a day in their life and how they might have used the tool for various tasks. Share your story with the class.
One reason our human ancestors came to dominate the world is that they figured out how to make and use various tools for different purposes. However, for a significant portion of our evolutionary history—over a million and a half years—ancient humans worldwide primarily created one specific tool. Interestingly, we still don’t know what it was used for.
Hi, I’m David, and this is MinuteEarth.
Typically, when archaeologists discover an ancient tool, they employ three main strategies to determine its purpose. They examine its shape—like this smaller example, which appears sharp at one end and thin at the other. They also look for clues under a microscope; for instance, this one has old wood resin on the back. Additionally, they attempt to recreate possible uses for the tool. For example, a reproduction of this tool cut deeply when attached to a stick and thrust into a goat carcass—yes, this is an actual technique used by archaeologists. Sometimes, these methods reveal the tool’s purpose: this was a spear point used for hunting large animals.
When researchers found the ancient mystery tool, they applied these same standard strategies. In terms of shape, each tool had been carefully chipped on both sides to create sharp, symmetrical edges that taper to a point. The resulting form seemed ideal for butchery: one end would fit comfortably in the user’s hand, while the other appeared sharp and strong enough to cut through animal hides, meat, and even bones. Alternatively, it could have been suitable for gathering, cutting through plants, grinding seeds, or digging up edible tubers. Perhaps the shape made it useful for sharpening sticks or creating sparks for starting fires. Thus, there was no clear answer regarding the mystery tool’s function.
Archaeologists then searched for additional clues under a microscope. Polished surfaces might indicate they were used for grinding, long scratches could suggest cutting, and tiny divots might imply smashing. They found tools exhibiting all these features, which did not eliminate any earlier hypotheses and introduced a new one: some archaeologists began to think that ancient humans used the mystery tool like a Swiss army knife, suitable for various tasks in their daily lives.
However, a surprisingly high number of the mystery tools examined showed little noticeable wear. This could mean those specimens were resharpened frequently enough to remove the tell-tale scratches, or it might indicate that some of these tools were used for tasks that didn’t cause wear at all. Consequently, researchers turned to the third method: attempting to recreate potential tasks. For instance, they tested whether the mystery tools could have been used as projectiles or placed pointy side up in the ground to disable prey. They also explored the idea that the mystery tool was a core from which smaller, sharper cutting tools were regularly chipped off.
There’s also the possibility that these tools weren’t tools in the traditional sense at all; perhaps early humans created them as currency or as a means to attract potential mates, but these ideas are challenging to test. So, still…nothing conclusive.
This is perplexing. We’ve discovered tens of thousands of these tools worldwide, so they must have served some important purpose. Researchers are not giving up on the mystery tool; they are currently examining as many specimens as possible to uncover any clues they may have missed. In the meantime, determining the function of the longest-used tool in human history remains open to speculation.
Ancient – Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence – The ancient ruins of the city gave archaeologists clues about how people lived thousands of years ago.
Humans – Members of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished by their ability to think and communicate – Researchers study the bones of early humans to understand how our ancestors lived and evolved.
Tools – Objects used by humans to perform tasks, often made from stone, metal, or wood – Archaeologists discovered stone tools that were used by early humans for hunting and building.
Archaeology – The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts – Archaeology helps us learn about ancient civilizations by examining the objects they left behind.
Researchers – People who conduct studies to discover new information – Researchers in anthropology often travel to remote areas to study the cultures of indigenous peoples.
Mystery – Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain – The disappearance of the ancient civilization remains a mystery that archaeologists are eager to solve.
Cutting – The act of using a tool to divide or shape materials – The cutting marks on the bones suggest that early humans used sharp tools to prepare their food.
Grinding – The process of crushing or breaking something into smaller pieces or powder – Archaeologists found stones used for grinding grains, indicating that ancient people practiced agriculture.
Animals – Living organisms that are not plants, often studied in relation to human history – The bones of animals found at the site show what kinds of creatures early humans hunted and domesticated.
Clues – Pieces of evidence or information used to solve a problem or mystery – The pottery shards provided clues about the trade routes used by ancient traders.
