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Image Credit: Guo-Ding Song, IVPP
Ancient Hafted Stone Tools in China Challenge Views of Early Technology
Archaeologists have identified the earliest known evidence of hafted stone tools in East Asia, dating back as far as 160,000 years, at a site in central China. The discovery challenges long-standing assumptions that early stone tool technologies in Asia were less advanced than those in Africa and Europe.
Excavations at the site uncovered more than 2,600 stone artifacts, some of which show clear traces of hafting—where stone implements were attached to wooden shafts or handles. This technique represents an important technological innovation, as it improves efficiency by increasing leverage and force during use. The findings provide the oldest known evidence of composite tools in the region.
Microscopic analysis of the tool edges indicates they were likely used to work plant materials, such as wood or reeds. The tools display a high level of technical planning, involving multiple production steps and careful preparation. Despite their small size, many of the artifacts were manufactured using complex methods, suggesting sophisticated technological behavior earlier than previously recognized.
The tools date to a period between approximately 160,000 and 72,000 years ago, when hunter-gatherer groups occupied the region. Although the absence of animal remains limits insights into daily life, the tools themselves point to a high degree of adaptability and effective use of local resources.
Importantly, the discovery calls into question older models that portrayed East Asian prehistoric cultures as technologically conservative. Instead, the evidence shows that early populations in the region developed innovative and flexible toolmaking strategies. The identity of the toolmakers remains uncertain, as several human species are known to have lived in East Asia during this time.
Overall, the findings highlight the need to reassess outdated views of early technological development in Asia and underscore the region’s significant role in the broader story of human innovation.
Published on: 27-01-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: Live Science