18 Aug 2016, 10:31 am
The discovery draws startling conclusions about how these early humans subsisted in a very demanding habitat, thousands of years before Homo sapiens first evolved in Africa.
New research published in the Journal of Archaeological Science by a team led by paleoanthropologist April Nowell of the University of Victoria reveals surprisingly sophisticated adaptations by early humans living 250,000 years ago in a former oasis near Azraq, Jordan.
The findings suggest these early Stone Age hominins were eating a range of meats, and were particularly partial to horse, rhino and duck.
A team from the University of Victoria, working with researchers in Jordan and the US, unearthed 10,000 stone tools during a three-year excavation in the deserts northwest of the town of Azraq.
While the region is dry and arid today, hundreds of thousands of years ago it is believed to be the site of wetlands – ideal hunting grounds.
They found that several of stone tools excavated at the site bore traces of animal protein - residues of blood, skin and flesh from the butchering process.
According to scientists, the discovery could be the oldest evidence of animal protein ever found and hints at sophisticated behavioural adaptations from these early hominins.
The team excavated 10,000 stone tools over three years from what is now a desert in the northwest of Jordan, but was once a wetland that became increasingly arid habitat 250,000 years ago.
The team closely examined 7,000 of these tools, including scrapers, flakes, projectile points and hand axes (commonly known as the "Swiss army knife" of the Paleolithic period), with 44 subsequently selected as candidates for testing.
Of this sample, 17 tools tested positive for protein residue, i.e. blood and other animal products.
"Researchers have known for decades about carnivorous behaviours by tool-making hominins dating back 2.5 million years, but now, for the first time, we have direct evidence of exploitation by our Stone Age ancestors of specific animals for subsistence," said Nowell.
"The hominins in this region were clearly adaptable and capable of taking advantage of a wide range of available prey, from rhinoceros to ducks, in an extremely challenging environment."
"What this tells us about their lives and complex strategies for survival, such as the highly variable techniques for prey exploitation, as well as predator avoidance and protection of carcasses for food, significantly diverges from what we might expect from this extinct species," continued Nowell.
"It opens up our ability to ask questions about how Middle Pleistocene hominins lived in this region and it might be a key to understanding the nature of interbreeding and population dispersals across Eurasia with modern humans and archaic populations such as Neanderthals."
Another result of this study is the potential to revolutionize what researchers know about early hominin diets.
"Other researchers with tools as old or older than these tools from sites in a variety of different environmental settings may also have success when applying the same technique to their tools, especially in the absence of animal remains at those sites," added Nowell.
- Air India reveals more upgraded products on several routes ahead of New Year
- Indian Embassy, Nepal Tourism host tourism event to promote Mahakumbh 2025
- Thailand announces E-Visa facility for Indians from New Year, check all details
- India's blue city Jodhpur turns a rainbow leaf with Rajasthan's first LGBTQ-run cafe
- Air Indian Express commences daily flights between Kolkata and Port Blair
- Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London invites guests to immerse in Christmas spirit
- 6 Factors to Consider While Choosing the Best Travel Insurance Online
- Srirangam Homestay: A harmonious blend of art, culture, and comfort in Shantiniketan
- White beluga whale Hvaldimir, dubbed 'Russian Spy', found dead off Norwegian coast
- Uzbekistan's historic city of Samarkand will host the UNESCO General Assembly 2025
Indian airline IndiGo has announced the launch of daily direct flights connecting Bengaluru, Karnataka with Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, effective from December 31, 2024.
Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, is offering 50% off on fares to all destinations across its network from July 28 to 31.
New Delhi : Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India and a part of the Tata group, has launched its "Time to Travel" sale on the airline’s website, airindiaexpress.com, the Air India Express mobile app and other major booking channels.