Ancient Wooden Tools Discovered in Greece

Archaeologists have made a significant find with what might be the oldest wooden tools ever found, potentially dating back hundreds of thousands of years. This discovery was made in the Megalopolis Basin, a low-lying valley located in southern Peloponnese, Greece.

A study published in January in the journal *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences* suggests that these tools could be approximately 430,000 years old, although the exact date remains uncertain. These artifacts are considered to be the earliest hand-held wooden tools, and they also encompass more recent types.

According to the study summary, this discovery highlights the importance of systematic research into early timber remains. The region where the tools were found was once covered with wetlands and lakes, which, perhaps oddly enough, contributed to their preservation.

One of the rods uncovered measures about 2.5 feet long, likely utilized for digging in muddy terrain. Another smaller piece may have been used to shape stone tools. It’s noteworthy that few ancient wooden tools have managed to survive because wood typically decays quickly.

Fortunately, these particular tools were protected by sediment, which helped preserve them in the damp environment. This preservation is somewhat rare, raising questions about the nature of similar ancient artifacts that might have been lost otherwise. At the time these tools were likely used, modern humans had yet to appear on the scene. It’s believed that they may have been crafted by Neanderthals or other early human ancestors.

Annemieke Milks, an archaeologist from the University of Reading who worked on the study, expressed her excitement about handling these ancient objects. However, some experts in the field remain cautious regarding this discovery. Jarrod Hutson from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History remarked on the vague nature of the tools; he noted that they might not appear distinctly as tools at first glance and described the uncertainty surrounding their exact purpose.

This finding joins a series of recent archaeological discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of prehistoric human activity. Just last month, researchers announced the discovery of cave art estimated to be around 68,000 years old in Indonesia, and they’ve also recently identified the oldest known poisoned arrowhead, dated to about 60,000 years ago.