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Discover the World’s Oldest Human-Made Tool: A 430,000-Year-Old Stick

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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.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Ancient Wooden Tool: The Oldest Known Stick Shaped by Early Humans

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Reconstruction of a Paleolithic woman crafting wooden tools

Credit: G. Prieto; K. Harvati

Remarkably, some of the oldest known wooden tools have been unearthed in an open-pit mine in Greece, dating back 430,000 years. These artifacts were likely crafted by an ancient human ancestor, potentially related to Neanderthals.

Archaeologists note that prehistoric wooden artefacts are “extremely rare.” According to Dirk Leder from the Lower Saxony Cultural Heritage Office in Hannover, Germany, any new findings in this area are highly valued.

Evidence suggests our extinct relatives may have utilized wooden tools for millions of years. “This could be the oldest type of tool ever used,” states Katerina Harvati from the University of Tübingen, Germany. Unfortunately, the preservation of wooden artifacts is often poor, hindering our understanding of their use.

Harvati and her team discovered the tool at a site called Marathusa 1, originally confirmed in 2013 in the Megalopolis Basin of southern Greece. The open-pit lignite mine revealed sediment layers that are nearly a million years old, offering unprecedented access to date and research, as mentioned by researcher K. Harvati.

From 2013 to 2019, excavations yielded not only tools but also the skeleton of a straight-tusked elephant (Paleoloxodon antiquus), indicating a rich archaeological context with evidence of activity, including more than 2,000 stone tools and remains of varied flora and fauna, depicting an ancient lakeshore ecosystem.


To date Marathusa 1, researchers relied on various methods, including analyzing fossil footprints and historical changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. By 2024, they confirmed that the artefacts are around 430,000 years old, a time marked by challenging climatic conditions—the gravest ice age of the Pleistocene in Europe. The Megalopolis Basin likely provided refuge due to its relatively temperate climate.

The archaeological team identified two significant wooden tools among the 144 artifacts. The first, an 81 cm long pole made from alder, exhibits marks indicative of intentional shaping. One end appears rounded, possibly serving as a handle, while the other is flattened, hinting at potential use for digging underground tubers or perhaps for butchering elephant carcasses. Harvati admits uncertainty about its exact application.

Mysterious second wooden tool from Marathusa 1

Credit: N. Thompson; K. Harvati

The second tool remains enigmatic, measuring just 5.7 cm in length and made from willow or poplar. It also shows signs of intentional shaping after the bark was removed. According to Harvati, this represents a completely new type of wooden tool. While it might have served to modify stone tools, the specific purpose remains a mystery.

Reeder points out that while the first tool is a clear example of wooden craftsmanship, questions remain about the functionality of the second. “Is this a complete item or part of something larger?” he muses.

No hominid remains have been found at Marathusa 1. Given its age, it predates our species and is likely too early even for Neanderthals. “The prevailing hypothesis suggests this site might be associated with pre-Neanderthal humans or Homo heidelbergensis. However, Harvati cautions against making definitive conclusions, noting that Greece was frequented by various hominin groups.

Other ancient wooden tools, like the Clacton spear discovered in Britain, are estimated to be about 400,000 years old, while a wooden spear from Schöningen, Germany, has been dated using multiple methods to around 300,000 years. The only tools that predate those found at Marathusa 1 are from Kalambo Falls in Zambia, which date back 476,000 years and resemble remains of larger structures or buildings.

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Newly Discovered Giant Stick Insect Species in Australia

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Australian entomologists unveil a remarkable new species from the Stick Insect genus Acrofella, identified from two female specimens and their eggs.

Holotype of Acrofera Alta in its natural habitat. Image credit: Ross M. Coupland.

Originally described in 1835, Acrofella is a genus of stick insects belonging to the tribe Phasmatini.

Species in this genus inhabit nearby regions including China, Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, and Lord Howe Island.

The newly classified Acrofera species is found in the highlands of the Wettropic Bioregion in Queensland, Australia.

“Key locations include Lewis National Park, Evelyn Tableland (likely encompassing Maarlan National Park), Topaz, Upper Baron, Mount Hypamie, and Dumbra,” stated Professor Angus Emmott from James Cook University and his colleague Ross Coupland.

The new species, named Acrofera Alta, can reach lengths of up to 40 cm (16 inches) and weigh approximately 44 g.

Typically light brown in color, this species is exceptionally camouflaged despite its large size.

“Although there are long stick insects in this region, they tend to have relatively light bodies,” explained Professor Emmott.

“As far as we know, this is Australia’s heaviest insect.”

The eggs of Acrofera Alta were also crucial in distinguishing it as a new species.

“Every stick insect species has distinct egg characteristics,” noted Professor Emmott.

“Their surfaces, textures, and corrosion patterns vary. Shapes can differ as well.”

“Even the caps of the eggs are uniquely identifiable.”

Researchers speculate that Acrofera Alta may not have been discovered earlier due to the inaccessibility of its habitat.

“Their environment could explain their large body size,” Professor Emmott added.

“It is a cool, damp habitat.”

“Larger body weight might enable them to endure colder temperatures, which could have led to their evolutionary characteristics over millions of years.”

The identification of such a large new insect species highlights the critical need to conserve remaining biologically diverse habitats and ecosystems, with potential undiscovered species like stick insects awaiting description.

The discovery of Acrofera Alta has been documented in a study published in the journal Zootaxa.

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Ross M. Coupland and Angus J. Emmott. 2025. New giant species of Acrofella Gray, 1835 (Fasmida: Fasmida), from the highlands of Wettropic, Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa 5647(4): 371-383; doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.4.4

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered Science Stick Insects: Australia’s Heaviest Insects Yet!

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Stick insects from seeds Acrofera Alta

Angus Emmott/James Cook University

A recently identified giant stick insect species, discovered in the wet tropical rainforests of Australia, is poised to be recognized as the heaviest insect ever recorded on the continent.

Acrofera Alta weighs 44 grams, roughly equivalent to a golf ball, and measures around 40 cm in length. To date, only two female specimens have been collected, with a third individual photographed and released by surprised locals.

The genus of these insects has been known since 1835, yet this particular species remained hidden from scientific discovery, likely due to its elusive habitat, according to Angus Emmott from James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.

The lush, damp tropics of northeastern Australia serve as a pristine wilderness, rich with cool rainforests and home to other rare species like tree kangaroos.

So far, Acrofera Alta has only been found in tree canopies above 900 meters, specifically in the mountainous regions of Millaa Millaa and Mount Phypipamee in Queensland.

The species name Alta reflects both the altitude of the forests it inhabits and the height of the trees it commonly frequents.

“It has very large wings, but due to its bulky body, it can only use them to glide down to the ground,” Emmott explains.

Current population status remains uncertain. “We can’t really determine its rarity,” Emmott states. “It’s limited to small stretches of high-altitude rainforests and exists primarily in the canopy, making it less visible to observers unless they survive being affected by cyclones and birds.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

La arrival of La Niña is finally here, but it’s not going to stick around for long

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La Niña increases the risk of drought in certain regions, as occurred in California in 2022

David McNew/Getty Images

A weak La Niña weather pattern has emerged in the Pacific Ocean several months later than originally expected. Although this will reduce average global temperatures, it will increase the risk of droughts and heavy rains in parts of the world.

The eastern tropical Pacific Ocean transitions from hot to cold and back again in a temperature cycle known as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). La Niña is the cold phase of the cycle. It typically occurs about every three to five years when trade winds strengthen, pushing cold water westward from off the coast of South America.

Sea surface temperatures in that part of the Pacific Ocean have been below average in recent months, but never below the threshold needed to declare a La Niña event. Until nowaccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Wind patterns also now reflect La Niña conditions.

The agency expects La Niña to last until April 2025, before temperatures return to normal.

Even as a weak event, below-average sea surface temperatures are expected to have a unique impact on global weather patterns, increasing the risk of drought in parts of North and South America and torrential rain in Australia and the Southeast. has been. Asia.

He also notes that La Niña events tend to lower global average temperatures, and that this cooling effect is proportional to the strength of the event. Pedro Dinegio At the University of Colorado Boulder. Dinezio said the transition from warm El Niño conditions to neutral La Niña conditions has brought temperatures down, but they are still above average in many parts of the world.

That also applies to the ocean. A transition to La Niña means temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are colder than average. However, global sea surface temperatures are still rising 0.5℃ or more Above average.

“The oceans, in particular, were record warm and slow to cool in mid-to-late 2023,” he said. Karin Gleeson He spoke at a press conference at NOAA in December, before La Niña officially occurred.

It is not unusual for a La Niña event to occur this late, even after a strong El Niño event. But that change will occur several months later than forecasters expected. It remains unclear why predictions were so far off and whether anthropogenic climate change played a role in the delay.

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Source: www.newscientist.com