Near a Chinese lake, archaeologists have uncovered artifacts that challenge our understanding of prehistoric techniques. These exceptionally well-preserved objects demonstrate ingenious adaptation to a subtropical environment.
The discoveries at the Gantangqing site in Yunnan shed light on a key period of the Middle Paleolithic. Unlike hunting tools found in Europe, these wooden implements were dedicated to gathering and processing plants, revealing previously unknown subsistence strategies.
A wooden tool being excavated at the Chinese site.
Photo: Bo Li A unique collection of plant-based tools
The 35 wooden artifacts, primarily crafted from pine, show meticulous carving and wear marks. Among them, digging sticks and hooks suggest targeted exploitation of plant resources like tubers or roots.
Dating between 361,000 and 250,000 years old, these tools constitute the oldest examples of wooden technology in East Asia. Their diversity contrasts with rare similar artifacts found in Africa or Eurasia, often associated with hunting.
The absence of large stone tools at the site indicates a preference for wood, possibly due to the lack of suitable mineral raw materials. This usage highlights hominids' technological flexibility in adapting to their environment.
New insights into subtropical regions
Plant residues found on the tools support the hypothesis of a predominantly vegetarian diet. This orientation differs markedly from contemporary European sites, where hunting tools like Schöningen spears dominate.
The artifacts' preservation, made possible by oxygen-deprived clay sediments, offers a rare glimpse of prehistoric organic materials. These conditions preserved details such as polishing marks or soil residues.
Researchers emphasize that these tools challenge the notion of technological backwardness in East Asia. Their sophistication invites reconsideration of plant resources' role in the evolution of human behavior.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND