A revolutionary archaeological discovery has been made, where more than 850 Paleolithic artefacts, including 1.5 million years, have been discovered. The results, made with just the naked eye, provide an invaluable overview of the old tools of the first human ancestors, highlighting an important era of tool manufacturing during the Paleolithic period. This discovery was made possible by a collaborative project led by Dr Ella Egberts de Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)JAAFAR JOTHERI DU University of Al-QadisiyahAnd independent researcher Andreas Nymark, alongside local researchers in Iraq.
The impact of old water sources
The results were discovered in an area that once welcomed a large lake in the Pleistocene, offering clues to early human life in the region. The dry terrain of the desert, now far from all large sources of water, was formerly crisscrosing of fossilized river channels, pointing that he played a vital role in the survival of the first human populations. It was not only a landscape of the desert, but a lifeline for humans who could have reached these old waters for subsistence and migration.
The Ella Egberts DRE and its team led a pilot project in this area to explore surface materials dispersed in the landscape. This specific region in Iraq, Marked by old water beds, has exceptional potential to understand how humans interact with their environment. The large discovery area (around 10 over 20 km) has helped discover several paleolithic sites, where the tools were initially identified and then studied in more detail.
The first humans and their simple tools
Among the most important discoveries were the axeswhich date back to the early Paleolithic period. These tools, some of which could be as old as 1.5 million years, demonstrate the first stages of the manufacture of human tools. The first humans would have used these tools for essential tasks such as hunting, transformation of food and surviving it difficult conditions. The discovery of these Old paleolithic The materials indicate that the first humans had already started to shape their environment, but with relatively rudimentary tools.
“The field work was a huge success,” confirms Dr. Egberts. “Our targeted field work led to the discovery of seven paleolithic sites in an area of 10 by 20 km. A location has been selected for a systematic study to determine the spatial distribution of the Paleolithic material and to carry out preliminary technological and typological analyzes. ”
These first tools, such as the axes of the hand, gave archaeologists a more in -depth understanding of the chronology of human evolution and survival strategies. However, the discovery does not stop there – no more advanced tools have also been found on the site.
From hand axes to Levallois flakes: a leap into human technology
300,000 and 50,000 years ago, humans have considerably increased their tool manufacturing techniques. During Middle PaleolithicThey developed a more organized and sophisticated way of shaping stone tools. THE Levallois techniqueWhere a stone nucleus is carefully shaped to produce specific flakes, is an example. This method shows that the first humans were not only more precise in their know-how, but also capable of planning and anticipating their needs.
The discovery of Levallois flakes in the region offers a fascinating overview of cognitive and social development of the first human groups. As Egberts explains: “Based on the distribution of sites and the gradual understanding of the geomorphological history of the region, there are emerging clues of the use of early human landscapes. Arab peninsula. “”
The transition of axes of the hand to more advanced tools reflects the changing needs of human societies when they adapt to their environment and have developed new methods of survival and innovation.
Training of future generations: transfer of knowledge in the field
A key element of Dr. Egberts’s project was his commitment to promote the next generation of archaeologists. Throughout the study, she led workshops and training in the field for local students of Al-Qadisiyah University. These practical experiences have enabled students to engage directly with ancient artifacts and to obtain precious skills in archaeological techniques. It also allowed them to analyze the surrounding floors and understand the complex layers that have kept these old materials.
JAAFAR JOTHERI, one of the local researchers involved, said that this work of collaboration in the field “offered invalid learning opportunities to students who acquired first -hand experience in the management of Paleolithic elements and the analysis of surrounding soils.” This aspect of the project demonstrates the importance of collaboration and the sharing of knowledge in the preservation of archaeological heritage, while promoting the skills necessary for future research.
