500,000-year-old elephant bone hammer shows ancient humans were master toolmakers
Archaeologists have identified a 500,000-year-old elephant bone tool found in England, marking it as the oldest of its kind in Europe. The artifact demonstrates the sophisticated technical skills and resourcefulness of early human ancestors like Homo heidelbergensis.
Why it matters
This discovery provides critical evidence of the advanced cognitive and tool-making capabilities of early hominids.
Archaeologists have identified a prehistoric hammer made from elephant bone that dates back almost 500,000 years. Found in southern England, the object is the oldest known elephant bone tool ever discovered in Europe.
Researchers from UCL and the Natural History Museum, London analyzed the rare artifact, which offers a striking look at the intelligence and technical abilities of early human ancestors. Their findings were published in Science Advances .
The tool was probably created by early neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis . Rather than serving as a heavy hammer, it functioned as a softer striking tool used to repair and sharpen stone handaxes and other cutting implements after their edges became worn.
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