In the past, things were conducted in a very different way. The method of eating, sleeping, communicating and surviving could not be imagined to a person living in 2006. In this article, we will touch about some of the achievements that were made by ancient civilizations between 350,000- 90,000 BCE, describing a variety of tools and materials.
We may use this to chop down an unwanted tree in the yard, but the hand axe performed many different tasks during 350,000 BCE. These types of tools were found in a brickyard located in Hoxne, Suffolk, England. It wasn’t until 240,000 BCE that blades and blade cores began to show up in the historic record. These finds were uncovered in Kapthurin in Kenya.
The earliest known Neanderthals were recorded as appearing during 200,000 BCE. Debates swirl regarding the classification of such beings. It is definite that they come from the genus Homo, but after that the information and speculation gets a little murky. Some believe that they should be classified as a subspecies of Homo Sapiens, while others feel that they belong in the category of beings that evolved separately from Home Erectus or an older form of Home Sapiens. The technological finds associated with these Neanderthals is more advanced that Homo Erectus, showing an even amount of stability.
As for tools, prepared-core flake tools make an appearance. This form of tool pertains to what is called the Levallois kind of technology. The core of the tool is molded from a large block of stone. The technology associated with the Neanderthal does not change very much over the next 100,000 years. During this time, side scrapers are quite common. It is a sign that during this time, Homo Erectus is able to create clothing from the hides of animals.
During 150,000 BCE, a tool making method, referred to as Mousterian, has been uncovered in locations, such as Biache, which can be found in the northwestern section of France. At this site, tools like back knives, points, side scrapers and hand axes are located. When 130,000 BCE rolls around, different materials are being used to create items that we still use today. For example, when one needs to grind spices or other food items, a pestle and mortar can be used. Mortars, pestles and bowls made from ground stone have been dated to this time. Specimens have been uncovered in Africa.
A charred wood spear is found at a site called Lehringen, located in Germany. This item was taken from the same area as the carcass of an elephant. This is dubbed the earliest known example of such a tool or weapon. By 90,000 BCE, the Democratic Republic of Congo is where barbed bone harpoons and points are thought to originate during this time period. The specimens are found at the Katanda site, which is located on the Semliki River. In Africa, the fossil record seems to show that there is an ancient form of Homo Sapiens that used to dwell during this time.