Ancient Weapon Unveils Early Humans' Woodworking Mastery
Analysis of a 300,000-year-old throwing stick discovered in Germany reveals advanced woodworking skills among early humans, indicating communal hunting practices involving the whole community. The stick was meticulously crafted, demonstrating deep knowledge of wood properties. The findings suggest that lightweight weapons like throwing sticks enabled communal hunts of medium and small animals, potentially involving children. The stick was likely used to hunt red and roe deer, as well as fast-small prey. The well-preserved artifact provides valuable insights into early human behaviors and woodworking techniques.