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Complex prehistoric tools unearthed at archaeological site Central China is upending long-held assumptions. human evolutionscientists claim in a new study.
Excavation of Xigou Site Danjiangkou Reservoir Evidence of early human ancestors using advanced stone tools has been found in central China, dating back 160,000 to 72,000 years ago.
There were many types of brained hominins in China at that time, e.g. a long man and man in julyand possibly our species, a smart man.
Research shows that human ancestors in the region were more creative, challenging the long-held view that early humans in China remained conservative and immature for long periods of time.
“For decades, researchers have believed that while hominins in Africa and Western Europe demonstrated significant technological advances, hominins in East Asia relied on simpler, more conservative stone tool traditions,” said expedition leader Yang Shixia, author of the study published in the journal. Nature Communications.
One of the most striking finds at the site is a hafted stone tool, marking the earliest evidence of composite tool use in East Asia.
Combining stone components with handles or shafts, these tools demonstrate intricate planning, skilled craftsmanship, and an understanding of how to enhance the tool’s performance.
“Their existence shows that Xigou hominins possessed a high degree of behavioral flexibility and ingenuity,” said Yue Jianping of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP), another author of the study.
The discovery also shows that over a period of 90,000 years, the species diversity of ancient human ancestors in China increased.
Scientists say some ancestral species discovered in Xujiayao and Lingjing had large brains, providing a biological context for the behavioral complexity reflected in the latest research. Discover.
Michael Petraglia, director of the Australian Center for the Study of Human Evolution at Griffith University, said: “Detailed analysis of the site shows that the ancient human inhabitants employed complex stone tool-making methods to produce small stone flakes and tools, which were then used in a variety of activities.”
Dr Petraglia said: “Technological strategies evident in stone tools may have played a crucial role in helping ancient humans adapt to fluctuating environments in East Asia over a period of 90,000 years.”
Research shows that these early humans possessed cognitive and technological abilities comparable to their African and European counterparts.
Dr Yang added: “New evidence from Xigou and other sites shows that early technologies in China included prefabricated core methods, innovative modification tools and even large cutting tools, suggesting that the technological landscape was richer and more complex than previously appreciated.”