"Unraveling the Mystery of the Prehistoric Ivory Baton: New Study Reveals Its Purpose"

A study published in Science Advances reveals that a mysterious ivory artifact, dating back at least 35,000 years and found in Hohle Fels Cave, Germany, has been identified as a prehistoric rope-making tool. The artifact, made from a mammoth's tusk, features spiral grooves and holes, which researchers hypothesized were used to align fibers for rope or twine production. Testing their theory, researchers found plant fiber residue on the artifact and successfully replicated the rope-making process using a replica baton, shedding light on how the Aurignacian culture may have manufactured essential materials.