The Oldest Stone ax from Kenya

Antiquated equipment found in the same sediment layer, as some primitive cutting tools, has been used by humans since at least 1 million years ago. The oldest ax was found on the shores of Lake Turkana by geologists from Columbia University, New York, Christopher Lepre, along with his team.

Stone axes estimated about 1.76 million years old have been discovered in Kenya. This stone axes 350,000 years difference older than a number of other ancient tools ever found, according to an article published in "Nature" on August 31, 2011 last.

Stone tools reach up to 20 cm long and shaped sharp on both sides. They are expected to be used for cutting meat and bone marrow from carcasses of animals, such as deer and elephants. Previously, the oldest stone tools were found to originate from Ethiopia, which has an estimated age of 1.4 million years and in India aged between 1 - 1.5 million years.

Kenya shaped stone axes seem typical Acheulian, the oval-shaped stone tools found in various regions of Europe, Asia, and Afrika.Namun, more primitive tools helped found, the broken pieces of stone with rough edges, and it seems to be the group's Oldowan tools , known as the industry of the earliest stone tools in prehistoric Acheulian before the advent of technology.

"Both types of equipment may be made by only one kind of hominid, which is adapted to the available raw materials and functionality of these tools to their lives," said Briana Pobiner anthropologist, told Nature. (Mimi Nguyen Ly / Epochtimes / osc)

Acheulian equipment often associated with Homo erectus, which is kind of early humans are believed to come from Africa.

But the scientists also found that the two types of early humans with different tool-making techniques, may live together in the area at that time.

Lepre and his team said that this stone ax may have been made by Homo erectus, while possible Oldowan tools were made by Homo habilis, the earliest hominid more limited capabilities.