JOURNAL ARTICLE

Oldest wooden tools may have been used to butcher elephants: Branches sharpened 400,000 years ago shine light on humans' early toolmaking.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Curry, Andrew 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses the discovery of the oldest known handheld wooden tools, dating back 430,000 years, found at the Marathousa 1 site in Greece. Archaeologists recovered an 81-centimeter-long sharpened stick and a smaller tool, which were likely used by early hominins, possibly ancestors of Neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis, for various tasks such as digging or defense against predators. The findings suggest that early humans were beginning to manipulate their environment in innovative ways, as evidenced by the simple yet significant wooden tools made from local soft alder and willow trees. This discovery contributes to the understanding of early human technology and its evolution over time. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2026/01, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Technology
  • Publication Date:2026
  • Accession Number:191180057
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