The origin of knifemaking, as told by archaeologists.

Esav Benyamin

Esav Benyamin

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I tnink we need more research on this but it looks like knifemaking precedes the origin of modern humans.

Ancient ‘production line’ remnants found

Archeologists' discovery of 400,000-year-old blades questions notion blade production is exclusively linked with recent modern humans.

Tel Aviv University archeologists have discovered thousands of long, thin cutting tools at Qesem Cave near Tel Aviv.

Their discovery, announced on Monday, questions the notion that blade production is exclusively linked with recent modern humans. Thousands of these blades have been discovered at the site. Because they could be produced so efficiently, they were almost used as expendable items, they said.

Archeologists have long associated the production of advanced blades for cutting with the Upper Palaeolithic period about 30,000 to 40,000 years ago, linked with the emergence of Homo Sapiens and cultural features such as cave art.

But now, Prof. Avi Gopher, Dr. Ran Barkai and Dr. Ron Shimelmitz of TAU’s Department of Archeology and Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations claim to have uncovered evidence showing that “modern” blade production was also an element of Amudian industry during the late Lower Paleolithic period some 200,000 to 400,000 years ago as part of the Acheulo-Yabrudian cultural complex.
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Esav, you forgot to mention the Petroglyph nearby the dig that has an uncanny resemblance to Sam Salvati holding up a
hammer.
 
So that is what Hershel Shanks has been up to lately ;)

The problem with these "Press Releases" is that they come out with little info and a lot of hoopla....sort of like some modern knifmaking press releases. There are often serious dating issues later pointed out.

I recall a funny article from the late 1800's that claimed proof that Neanderthal man had developed iron tool technology. A researcher discovered a piece of severely rusted metal at a cave site where Neanderthal remains were discovered. They later realized that they had merely found a cave that had been in use by man for many centuries.....some 40,000 years ago, and some 100 years ago.
 
I think a major clarifying point would be finding out from what these alleged blades are made. If it's stainless, somehow I think carbon dating won't be necessary. But who knows.
 
Very interesting. Being that they were so easy to make, almost expendable, I wonder if they got fancy with their dino-slayers and other fantasy knives? Or, do you suppose, that they were strictly form and function?
 
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Cool article, thanks...... I feel it is my duty to point out the fact that the archeologists name is "A. Gopher". THAT is just funny. Get it?... gopher... archeologist... digging.... Oh nevermind.

I love the feeling I get when I look at a pile of flint or see an ancient bow in a museum. Otzi was a big deal for me... I want to be just like him.... apart from dead and all dried up n stuff.
 
Very interesting Esav, I found this paragraph very interesting...

This, said the TAU researchers, is perhaps the first time that such technology was standardized, noted Gopher, who points out that the blades were produced with relatively small amounts of waste materials. This systematic industry enabled the inhabitants of the cave to produce tools – normally considered costly in raw material and time – with relative ease.
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Apperently things haven't changed that much, still trying to minimize waste and donating material and time :D

I recently ran across the term "Oldowan Tools" and have found that an interesting read as well.
 
Stone , especially flint and obsidian .
Copper.
Bronze.
Iron.
Steel.
That's the short history list. Developments in materials are still going strong so there are more things to come !!
 
The blades are fractured from stone in one blow, creating concoidally fractured pieces, as is done with obsidian. You can still purchase obsidian scalpel blades made the same way.
This is one of the oldest methods of shaping stone into cutting tools,.... but 400,000 years is a stretch.
Besides, Those Israeli archeologists should check their calendars that they just put up on the lab wall (new year)...the earth is only 5772 years old right now :)
 
Rick Marchand said:
I love the feeling I get when I look at a pile of flint or see an ancient bow in a museum.
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I was hiking in to a dammed lake during a drought year, in the Sierras. The water was so low that the sawed off dead trees stood 30 ft high out of the water. Walking around the lake bed, I found all sorts of old lures and such. I walked over a small "hill" into what used to be the river bed. There on both sides of the old river bed were piles of stone chips 10 ft in diameter. The feeling was overwhelming, to know that I was standing where Indians had made their tools centuries ago.
 
Carl_First_Timer said:
I was hiking in to a dammed lake during a drought year, in the Sierras. The water was so low that the sawed off dead trees stood 30 ft high out of the water. Walking around the lake bed, I found all sorts of old lures and such. I walked over a small "hill" into what used to be the river bed. There on both sides of the old river bed were piles of stone chips 10 ft in diameter. The feeling was overwhelming, to know that I was standing where Indians had made their tools centuries ago.
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Now THAT"S cool!
 
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