Natural Inspiration for Prehistoric Stone Tools
The development of stone tools by early humans may have originated from observing naturally occurring sharp stones. This implies that the earliest forms of these essential implements might have emerged from replicating natural shapes, perhaps requiring less of an initial conceptual innovation than previously thought.
Rethinking the Genesis of Technology
Metin Eren, a researcher at Kent State University in Ohio, offers a different perspective on the beginnings of technology. He suggests that the conventional interpretation of tool creation – that it began with the conceptualization of a sharp tool – could be fundamentally reconsidered.
Eren’s hypothesis posits that instead of first imagining a cutting implement and then devising a method to create it, early humans might initially have recognized and imitated existing sharp forms found in nature, such as chert flakes derived from stones. Examples include the chert “balls” discovered in Oman, as depicted below.
Natural processes can create sharp flakes from stones like these chert “balls”, discovered in a field in Oman.
Michelle R. Bebber and Metin I. Eren
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.