Stone Tools Found In India Resemble Those In Africa, Changing Our Theory On Ancient Human Migration
A recent archeological dig in India uncovered stone tools, weapons, and other artifacts made by early humans which resemble tools found in Eastern and Southern Africa. The artifacts may help shed light onto prehistoric human migration into the Indian subcontinent.
The artifacts were found in the upper Danta stream, a lead off of the River Jira in eastern India, Archeology reported. A team of archaeologists led by P.K. Behera, head of the history department at Sambalpur University, unearthed numerous ancient artifacts in the stream. The many artifacts included tools and weapons such as projectile points and hand axes. The tools appear to be designed to hunt large animals. Although the tools have not been dated yet, the team hopes to use soil samples from the site to learn when the artifacts may have been forged.
Most importantly, the tools resemble those previously recovered in Africa. Due to this, Behera explained that the artifacts may help explain the history of humans in India.
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"This discovery will help us in understanding migration and subsequent colonization by human beings in this part of India," said Beherea, Business Standard reported. "The equipment and artifacts are a witness to the potential skills of early humans."
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Stone tools are an important hallmark of human evolution, although research has suggested that stone tools may actually update humans. For example, in 2015, researchers at Stony Brook University in New York found stone tools in Kenya which they believe may be 3.3 million years old, which is 700,000 years older than the first known member of the Homo genus, Archeology reported.
This is not the first time that stone tools in India have caused excitement in archeology. Stone tools uncovered in India were dated at 250,000 years old—and possibly up to 385,000 years old, National Geographic reported. This is important as it could reshape what archaeologists think that know about early human migration in South Asia.
For now, these new artifacts, as well as those previously uncovered in the past, will help us better understand not only the ancient history of India, but also the story of all of mankind.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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