Ancient Wooden Tools Uncovered in Greece

A recent study suggests archaeologists have found what might be the oldest wooden tools, dating back hundreds of thousands of years. These tools were located in the Megalopolis Basin, a low-lying valley in southern Peloponnese, Greece.

The research, published in late January in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, estimates the age of the tool at about 430,000 years, although the exact date remains uncertain.

According to a summary of the study, these tools are “the earliest hand-held wooden tools” and include more advanced types as well.

This discovery emphasizes the significance of systematically examining ancient timber remains.

Once, the area was a landscape of wetlands and lakes, which likely contributed to the preservation of these artifacts.

Among the tools, one rod measures about 2.5 feet long and might have been used for digging, while another piece appears to have been utilized for shaping stone tools.

It’s worth noting that few ancient wooden tools endure, largely due to the quick decay of wood over time.

The newly uncovered tools were safeguarded in sediment within a humid environment.

During this time period, modern humans weren’t around, leading scientists to think that early humans or Neanderthals may have crafted and used these tools.

An archaeologist from the University of Reading, Annemieke Milks, expressed her excitement about being able to physically interact with such ancient objects.

However, other experts expressed caution regarding the findings.

Jarrod Hutson of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History noted the ambiguity surrounding the tools’ purpose, stating, “It’s hard to get excited about wooden tools because they don’t immediately hit home.” He also mentioned, “We don’t know what they were used for.”

This discovery is part of a series of recent archaeological finds that have generated interest. For example, last month, cave art estimated to be around 68,000 years old was found in a tropical cave in central Indonesia. In addition, researchers recently identified the oldest known poisoned arrowhead, dating back approximately 60,000 years.