Human Ancestors Used Volcanic Spheres as Tools More Than One Million Years Ago

Archaeological discovery at Melka Kunture, Ethiopia, reveals early human ancestors used volcanic rock spheres as tools over one million years ago.
The find highlights the intelligence and creativity of archaic hominins, countering the perception of them as unthinking brutes.
Dr. Margherita Mussi reported that naturally occurring basalt spheres were repurposed as hammering, crushing, and scraping tools by species like Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis.
The spheres were found alongside intentionally crafted tools from the Acheulean industry, dating back two million years.
Researchers noted the uniqueness of these volcanic spheres, which differ from surrounding limestone-based tools.
Over 30 spheres were recovered from eight sites, with significant findings at Gombore IB, dating back 1.7 million years.
Evidence suggests the spheres were intentionally transported by hominins rather than naturally moved, indicating advanced resource exploitation.
Mussi proposes the volcanic spheres were used for knapping tools and other tasks, showcasing an early form of toolmaking strategy.
This discovery provides insights into the evolution of tool use among early hominins and their adaptive strategies over time.

The volcanic rock spheres of Melka Kunture (Upper Awash, Ethiopia) at Gombore IB and later Acheulean sites

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