A recent discovery in Greece has unveiled the oldest known hand-held wooden tool, dating back approximately 430,000 years, utilized by early human ancestors.

One tool, crafted from an alder trunk, likely served a digging purpose, while the other, made from either willow or poplar, may have been employed for shaping stone, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“The rarity of preserving wood over such a long period makes this discovery particularly fascinating,” stated Annemieke Milks, the lead author of the study, in a phone interview with NBC News.

Milks, affiliated with the University of Reading in the UK and an authority on early wooden tools, emphasizes that while stone tools have been preserved for centuries, finding these rare wooden artifacts enhances our understanding of human evolution.

The evidence suggests that early human ancestors utilized wood for tool-making, marking a significant development in our knowledge of their capabilities.

These ancient tools were unearthed at the Megalopolis Basin site in Marathusa, Greece, located about 160 miles southwest of Athens.

Researchers have identified that this site—once a lakeshore—was pivotal for early human activities, including the fabrication and use of stone and bone tools, as well as hunting large animals like elephants.

Milks described one of the smaller tools as “unprecedented,” noting that its precise function remains unclear. “We were fortunate to uncover such a unique artifact,” she remarked.

Distinct markings on the wood signify that these artifacts were intentionally crafted by humans, rather than being natural sticks, according to Milks.

Innovative methods for analyzing ancient wooden tools have surged over the last decade, yielding new insights into our past, Milks added.

Since direct dating of organic materials like wood can only trace back 50,000 years, researchers relied on dating surrounding sediments and rocks to affirm the tools’ age of 430,000 years.

Milks explained that the preservation of these wooden tools was likely facilitated by their rapid burial in moist sediments, protecting them from microorganisms that would typically lead to decay.

Co-author Caterina Harbati noted that the extraordinary conditions at the excavation site facilitated the preservation of not just wood, but also delicate organic materials like seeds and leaves.

Paleoanthropologist Halvaty from the University of Tübingen in Germany emphasized the discovery’s significance, showcasing Greece’s essential role in human evolutionary studies.

“This finding expands our understanding of early human technology and highlights previously unknown types of tools, enriching our knowledge in this domain,” Halvaty stated.

Maeve McHugh, an associate professor of classical archaeology at the University of Birmingham, called the discovery an essential “snapshot” of early human activity and a glimpse into cognitive development during that era.

“The survival of this wooden artifact, particularly from such an early period in human history, is remarkable and of great significance,” McHugh concluded.