Ancient Toolmakers: A Glimpse into Our Ancestors' Ingenuity Archaeologists in southern England have uncovered a 500,000 year old elephant bone hammer that sheds new light on the resourcefulness and technical abilities of our ancient ancestors.
The remarkable discovery not only provides evidence of early humans' advanced planning but also highlights their sophisticated understanding of local materials and toolmaking techniques.
The fossilized object measures approximately 11 centimeters long and six centimeters wide, with distinctive notches, impact damage, and other signs that it had repeatedly been used as a hammer to sharpen and maintain stone tools.