Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Stone Age Technologies Beyond Stone: Unearthing 'Invisible' Tools

Archaeologists are using artifacts like the Hohle Fels baton to reconstruct the 'invisible' technologies of the Stone Age, focusing on perishable materials like rope, thread, and twine that rarely survive.

An ivory artifact from Hohle Fels cave, Germany, revealed itself as a tool for making rope. Experiments showed twisting fibers through its holes created rope, highlighting the importance of 'soft technologies'.

The archaeological record favors durable items, overlooking perishable materials. This leads to an incomplete understanding of prehistoric life, as soft technologies were crucial for survival and daily activities.

The oldest surviving fiber artifact is a 50,000-year-old string from Neanderthals. Evidence suggests fiber use dates back at least 250,000 years, playing a role in hafting tools.

Hafting, attaching stone points to handles with cordage, was revolutionary. It enhanced stone tools, enabling more effective hunting and construction, and connecting technologies.

Soft materials likely aided in transporting heavy stones for toolmaking as early as three million years ago and were used for passive hunting methods like snares and nets.

Cordage production was labor-intensive, impacting hunter-gatherer routines and seasonal schedules, unlike easily produced stone tools.

Wooden spears from Schöningen, Germany, preserved for 300,000 years, show sophisticated craftsmanship beyond stone, highlighting the integration of resources.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.