【新华社】中国新发现颠覆对东亚旧石器时代技术的传统认知

Core Insights - The research led by Chinese scientists reveals that early humans in central China may have developed significant technological innovations, such as tool hafting, between 160,000 and 70,000 years ago, challenging the long-held belief that East Asian Paleolithic culture was conservative and technologically stagnant [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, indicates that the late Middle to early Late Pleistocene (approximately 300,000 to 50,000 years ago) was a critical period for human evolution, with complex behaviors emerging in Africa and Europe [1] - The research team analyzed over 2,600 stone artifacts excavated from the Xigou site in Henan Province, revealing systematic production strategies for small stone flakes and the earliest known tool hafting technology in East Asia [1][2] Group 2: Technological Analysis - The stone tools, primarily made from quartz and quartzite, are mostly smaller than 50 millimeters, and the analysis shows that the local population employed flake-core and discoidal core technologies to produce targeted small flakes [2] - The tools included scrapers, drills, and carving tools, with evidence suggesting the use of hafted tools, supported by micro-wear analysis [2] Group 3: Environmental Adaptation - The research highlights that the climate in East Asia experienced significant fluctuations during this period, and early humans adapted to these environmental changes by developing flexible and diverse stone tool technologies [2] - Observations of wear patterns on the tools suggest they were likely used for cutting plant materials, such as wood or reeds [2]