Early humans in South Africa were quarrying stone as far back as 220,000 years ago
Why it matters: This finding redefines the timeline for complex human resource acquisition by 220,000 years.
- An international research team led by the University of Tübingen demonstrated that early humans quarried rocks for tools at the Jojosi site in South Africa.
- This behavior occurred as far back as 220,000 years ago, pushing back previous estimates for such sophisticated resource acquisition.
- The Jojosi site in South Africa provides evidence that early humans specifically sought out locations for quarrying stone, indicating advanced planning and understanding of material properties.
New research at the Jojosi site in South Africa reveals that early humans were intentionally quarrying stone for tools as far back as 220,000 years ago, significantly earlier than previously believed. This discovery, led by the University of Tübingen, challenges existing understandings of ancient human technological sophistication and resourcefulness.
