Oldowan Paleolithic Tool Cantabria Spain (37822)

This Oldowan primitive paleolithic tool is from the Cantabria region, Spain. It is 1.9 mya and is characteristic of the Oldowan industry. The presence of the Oldowan technological complex has been confirmed in this area and dates back to more than a million years.

These types of tools have been found in many parts of the Iberian peninsula. This tool is similar to the ones found in Tanzania, Africa. The Cantabria region is famous for the Altimira Cave, which contains prehistoric cave art of animals. The region was occupied by Homo erectus and a few other homo hominins.

This tool demonstrates a single top edge. This pebble chopper show some ancient wear marks. It was likely used to crush bones of hunted prey or chop plant fibers.

It is interesting to note the "handedness" for left or right hand use of this tool. It has been found that the right hand use works best. This Oldowan tool fits comfortably in the right hand with the round edge and the thumb fitting in your palm with an easy, yet powerful grip. 

Age Range: Oldowan; ~1.9 mya

Size: 4 1/4" L X 3" W X 1 1/2" D. Condition: No repairs. Complete.

This fine Oldowan paleolithic tool is definitely "hands touching hands" through history.

Obtained in a scientific trade with a scientific institution. One of the earliest stone tools.

Ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, information and tag. Stands or photo cubes not included.

This is a great paleolithic tool to add to any significant archaeological collection.

Notes:

The Nyayanga site on the Homa Peninsula in Kenya boasts the most ancient Oldowan tools, dating back about 2.9 million years. These remarkable artifacts were discovered alongside Paranthropus teeth and two butchered hippo skeletons. Another significant site, Gona in Ethiopia near the Awash River, has yielded Early Oldowan tools from approximately 2.6 million years ago.

The use of tools among apes, including chimpanzees and orangutans, provides compelling evidence for tool-use as an ancestral characteristic of hominins. It is highly likely that tools made from bone, wood, or other organic materials were utilized even before the Oldowan period. However, Oldowan stone tools hold the distinction of being the oldest preserved tools in the archaeological record.

The Oldowan pebble tool tradition, named after the Oldowan Gorge in Kenya, East Africa, represents the earliest stone tools crafted by primitive humans. These tools emerged long before the arrival of early humans in Europe. It is believed that Homo erectus, migrating from northern Africa brought these stone tool manufacturing traditions into Europe. The Pebble and Acheulian traditions coexisted briefly at the dawn of human existence in Europe. The pebble tool technology eventually led to more advanced types or tool making like cores and core flakes.

The prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula dates back 1.2 million years to the arrival of the first hominins. Early hominin remains were unearthed at numerous sites on the peninsula. The Iberian peninsula experience an extended occupation by Neanderthal man (lookup Gorham's Cave).

The entry of Homo sapiens into Iberia marked the end of the Paleolithic era. Neanderthals and modern humans coexisted until the former were ultimately driven to extinction. 

 

 

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