Scientists Make Bamboo Tools to Test Theory Explaining East Asia's Stone Age Tool Scarcity
“The long-held theory that early human ancestors in East Asia crafted their tools from bamboo and wood is much more complicated than originally conceived, according to a new study. Research until now has failed to address a fundamental question: Is it even possible to make complex bamboo tools with simple stone tools? Now an experimental archaeological study -- in which a modern-day flint knapper replicated the crafting of bamboo knives -- confirms that it is possible to make a variety of bamboo tools with the simplest stone tools.
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After numerous trials, the researchers developed a simple "bamboo knife reduction sequence" that could produce 20 sharp, durable bamboo knives in about five hours. Using pork purchased from a local market, the researchers write, they found that the knives easily cut meat, but not hide.
In other findings, the authors write that with a simple stone unifacial chopper, Bar-Yosef was able in 30 minutes to easily make a sharp spear that would have been capable of killing an animal.”
Companion video to Were Bamboo Tools Made In Prehistoric Southeast Asia? An Experimental View From South China
“The long-held theory that early human ancestors in East Asia crafted their tools from bamboo and wood is much more complicated than originally conceived, according to a new study. Research until now has failed to address a fundamental question: Is it even possible to make complex bamboo tools with simple stone tools? Now an experimental archaeological study -- in which a modern-day flint knapper replicated the crafting of bamboo knives -- confirms that it is possible to make a variety of bamboo tools with the simplest stone tools.
...
After numerous trials, the researchers developed a simple "bamboo knife reduction sequence" that could produce 20 sharp, durable bamboo knives in about five hours. Using pork purchased from a local market, the researchers write, they found that the knives easily cut meat, but not hide.
In other findings, the authors write that with a simple stone unifacial chopper, Bar-Yosef was able in 30 minutes to easily make a sharp spear that would have been capable of killing an animal.”
Companion video to Were Bamboo Tools Made In Prehistoric Southeast Asia? An Experimental View From South China
Edited: 2011-04-09, 9:54 am
