Stone Tools Created 400,000 Years Ago Reveal Major Technological Advancement in Humans

Source: Archaeologies | February 23, 2024

Context: A Turning Point in Human Prehistory

Recent archaeological research from the Levant highlights a crucial moment in human evolution around 400,000 years ago, when early humans not only changed their hunting strategies but also redesigned their stone tools to adapt to new ecological realities.

The study, led by Vlad Litov et al., focuses on evidence from two important Lower Palaeolithic sites in present-day Israel:
• Jaljulia (near Tel Aviv)
• Qesem Cave

Together, these sites document a significant technological and behavioural shift among prehistoric hunters.

From Large Game to Smaller Prey

For nearly one million years, early humans in this region depended heavily on large game, especially elephants, which provided abundant meat and fat.

However, around 400,000 years ago, these megafauna began to disappear from the landscape.
As a result:
• Hunting strategies had to be recalibrated
• Humans increasingly targeted smaller, faster animals, particularly fallow deer
• Each kill yielded less meat, increasing the need for efficiency

This dietary shift acted as a selective pressure driving technological innovation.

The Emergence of the Quina Scraper

At the heart of this transformation is a specialized stone tool known as the Quina scraper.

Unlike earlier, more rudimentary scrapers, the Quina scraper shows clear signs of advanced design:
• A stepped, scale-like working edge
• A durable, sharp bevel suitable for heavy use
• Ability to be resharpened multiple times

These features made it a portable, multi-purpose tool, ideal for extended hunting expeditions.

Functions Beyond Butchery

The Quina scraper was not limited to cutting meat.
Its design suggests a wide range of uses, including:
• Processing hides
• Lashing shelters
• Wrapping or preserving meat
• Possibly tailoring early garments

This indicates an expansion of technological foresight and planning, extending beyond immediate subsistence needs.

Raw Material Procurement and Planning

A striking aspect of the discovery is the source of the flint used to make these tools.

• Flint was transported from the western slopes of the Samarian Mountains
• The distance was approximately 12.4 miles (20 km)
• Closer raw material sources were deliberately bypassed

This reflects:
• Advanced knowledge of landscape resources
• Long-distance planning
• Preference for high-quality material, even at higher energy cost

Technological Change and Cognitive Implications

According to Litov, the study aimed to understand why stone tools changed during this period.

The findings suggest that tool innovation was closely tied to:
• Environmental change
• Faunal turnover
• Dietary adaptation

Such changes point to growing cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, and possibly shifts in belief systems linked to hunting and survival.

Anthropological Significance

This research is important for anthropology because it:
• Demonstrates a clear link between ecology and technology
• Highlights adaptive responses in the Lower Palaeolithic
• Shows early evidence of technological specialization
• Strengthens understanding of behavioural evolution prior to Homo sapiens

It also helps bridge discussions on the Lower–Middle Palaeolithic transition.

Why This Matters for UPSC Aspirants

This case study is highly useful for:
• Anthropology Paper-I – Stone tool traditions, subsistence strategies
• Topics on Quina technology, hunting adaptations, and early cognition
• GS-I – Prehistory and technological evolution

Relevant UPSC Anthropology PYQs 

1. Differentiate between Lower Palaeolithic and Middle Palaeolithic culture with suitable examples.
15 marks, 2020

2. Explain the biological changes that made human beings capable of making cultures.
20 marks, 2018