One of the earliest examples of a human tool made from wood has been found after archaeologists unveiled a 300,000-year-old double-pointed stick that would have been used as a hunting weapon.
The high-impact weapon was reportedly one of the several different tools – among with throwing spears, thrusting spears and a second similar stick – found in the town of Schoeningen, Germany.
Experts claimed that the 77-centimetre-long (30 inches) double-pointed wooden item found about 30 years ago, was scraped, seasoned, as well as sanded before being used to hunt animals.
It thus allowed ancient humans to nibble on medium-sized game such as red and roe deer, in addition to fast-small prey including hare and birds, that hunters previously found hard to catch.
Similarly to a boomerang, the throwing sticks were reportedly thrown rotationally and could reach as far as 30 metres (98 feet).
And in spite of being lightweight, the high velocities at which early humans had launched them could have resulted in deadly high-energy impacts.
Additionally, the objects’ finely shaped and polished surface suggested that it was repeatedly used as part of a personal kit, rather than a single-use tool
Principal investigator Thomas Terberger said in a statement obtained by the University of Reading: “The systematic analysis of the wooden finds of the Schoeningen site financed by German Research Foundation provides valuable new insights and further exciting information on these early wooden weapons can be expected soon.”
The research – according to archaeologists – indicated that ancient people’s woodworking techniques were more developed and sophisticated than previously understood.
It also pointed out that such weapons possibly enabled group hunts, which had also involved children.
Researcher at the University of Reading’s Department of Archaeology and study leader, Dr Annemieke Milks said: “Discoveries of wooden tools have revolutionised our understanding of early human behaviours.
“Amazingly these early humans demonstrated an ability to plan well in advance, a strong knowledge of the properties of wood, and many sophisticated woodworking skills that we still use today.
“These lightweight throwing sticks may have been easier to launch than heavier spears, indicating the potential for the whole community to take part.
“Such tools could have been used by children while learning to throw and hunt.”
Study co-author Dirk Leder said: ‘The Schoeningen humans used a spruce branch to make this aerodynamic and ergonomic tool.
“The woodworking involved multiple steps including cutting and stripping off the bark, carving it into an aerodynamic shape, scraping away more of the surface, seasoning the wood to avoid cracking and warping, and sanding it for easier handling.”
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed open-access mega journal ‘PLOS ONE’ on Wednesday, 19th July.
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Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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