In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists in China have unearthed 35 wooden tools dating back approximately 300,000 years. Found at the Gantangqing site in Yunnan province, these artifacts offer a rare glimpse into the lives of early humans in East Asia.
The tools, including digging sticks, hooks, and pointed implements, were remarkably preserved in oxygen-poor clay sediments. This exceptional preservation allows researchers to study the tools' function and the dietary practices of these early humans.
The discovery, published in the journal Science on July 3, 2025, challenges previous assumptions about early human adaptation. The tools suggest a plant-based survival strategy focused on lakeshore food resources, demonstrating considerable foresight and technological advancement.