Navigation Links
Scientists make bamboo tools to test theory explaining East Asia's Stone Age tool scarcity
Date:4/8/2011

of bamboo a resource readily available to them.

Scientists suggest several reasons for missing stone tool industry

Scientists have hypothesized various explanations for the lack of complex stone tools. On one hand, it's been suggested that human ancestors during the early Stone Age left Africa with rudimentary tools and were then cut-off culturally once they reached East Asia, creating a cultural backwater.

Others have suggested a lack of appropriate stone raw materials in East and Southeast Asia. In the new study, however, Bar-Yosef, Eren and colleagues showed otherwise by demonstrating that more complex stone tools could be manufactured on stone perceived to be "poor" in quality.

Studies set out to test "bamboo theory" by replicating stone tools

Prolific in East and Southeast Asia, bamboo stands grow fast and thick, reaching maturity in 5 to 7 years and totaling more than 1,000 species, the authors say.

In a 2007 pilot study and a 2008 expanded study the authors worked with the Archaeological Field Research Station of the Hunan Provincial Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Relics in Shimen, China. Experiments were carried out in three locations across Hunan province known to possess clusters of Paleolithic sites.

The researchers gathered different kinds of cobble-sized rocks along the banks of the Li, Wu and Xiao Shui rivers, similar to those that would have been available to prehistoric human ancestors.

From those rocks, Eren easily replicated flake tools and stone choppers, some of them flaked on one side and some flaked on two sides. The team then observed a local bamboo toolmaker who used metal tools to easily slice the bamboo to learn techniques for sawing, shaving, splitting, peeling and chopping bamboo.

Stone tools efficiently chopped down bamboo stalks and produced knives

Using the crudely knapped stone choppers, the researchers in 84 minutes
'/>"/>

Contact: Margaret Allen
mallen@smu.edu
214-768-7664
Southern Methodist University
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Jefferson scientists deliver toxic genes to effectively kill pancreatic cancer cells
2. Scientists identify novel inhibitor of human microRNA
3. Argonne scientists peer into heart of compound that may detect chemical, biological weapons
4. MU scientists go green with gold, distribute environmentally friendly nanoparticles
5. Scientists identify gene that may contribute to improved rice yield
6. Scientists discover why a mothers high-fat diet contributes to obesity in her children
7. MU scientists see how HIV matures into an infection
8. Earth scientists keep an eye on Texas
9. Thinking it through: Scientists call for policy to guide biofuels industry toward sustainability
10. Scientists identify a molecule that coordinates the movement of cells
11. Scientists Find new migratory patterns for Mediterranean and Western Atlantic bluefin tuna
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Scientists make bamboo tools to test theory explaining East Asia's Stone Age tool scarcity
(Date:5/19/2013)... at the University of California, Davis have engineered a ... for light. They report their findings today at ... Microbiology. , "In this work, we used synthetic biology ... carbon dioxide and light energy for growth) cyanobacterial metabolism ... Jordan McEwen, the lead researcher on the study. ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... (May 18, 2013) Research presented at Digestive ... digestive health through diet and lifestyle. , ... by reduced muscle strength, fatigue and poor quality ... patients are in remission. A randomized, double blind, ... vitamin D supplementation corresponded to significant relief of ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... South, but the night belongs to the amphibians. In ... humidity and the sounds of wildlife. , The Southeast, ... salamanders, is the center of amphibian biodiversity in our nation. ... their symphonic choruses, the scientists of the U.S. Geological Survey,s ... , Amphibians, which rely on water for part ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Research examines new methods for managing digestive health 2Research examines new methods for managing digestive health 3Front-row seats to climate change 2Front-row seats to climate change 3Front-row seats to climate change 4
... Amlie Perez is preparing to tally the number of ... a row. The objective? To measure the impact of the ... the amphibian populations of southern Quebec. A graduate student ... visit more than 50 swamps and lakes. Last year she ...
... at The University of Western Ontario finds the sauces you ... unforeseen health benefits. The research, led by Western biology ... be more than just tasty sauces they can also ... co-authored by Mark Bernards and Christopher Guglielmo in Western,s department ...
... HOUSTON , March 23 Today, Texas ... the TMS320C5515 Fingerprint Development Kit, a complete signal chain solution ... fingerprint biometric features in reduced time to market.  This robust ... digital signal processor (DSP), two widely-used sensor types (swipe and ...
Cached Biology News:Counting frogs: Why monitoring our amphibian populations is important 2Spice up your health this barbecue season 2Quickly and easily integrate fingerprint biometric features into portable applications with Texas Instruments' comprehensive, low cost fingerprint development kit 2Quickly and easily integrate fingerprint biometric features into portable applications with Texas Instruments' comprehensive, low cost fingerprint development kit 3Quickly and easily integrate fingerprint biometric features into portable applications with Texas Instruments' comprehensive, low cost fingerprint development kit 4Quickly and easily integrate fingerprint biometric features into portable applications with Texas Instruments' comprehensive, low cost fingerprint development kit 5Quickly and easily integrate fingerprint biometric features into portable applications with Texas Instruments' comprehensive, low cost fingerprint development kit 6
(Date:5/21/2013)... Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 ... there is a strong push within the industry ... Development and Manufacturing Organizations and pharma companies often ... time frames. , Microtablets, developed in collaboration with ... how effective outsourcing can bring products to market ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... May 21, 2013 Many have long ... contributor to acne. Recently physicians from Clinical Psychiatry.com ... stress on the skin, and suggested using hypnotherapy ... the chemicals produced from stress that cause acne. , ... negative feelings acne brings about, stress causes changes in ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Emerson Resources Inc. , a premier pharmaceutical ... Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, ... service. As part of Emerson Resources’ planned leadership succession ... as Dr. Signorino’s successor. , Dr. Signorino is ... a significant contribution to the field during his extensive ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... 21, 2013  MacroGenics, Inc. today announced that ... (MGAH22), an Fc-modified chimeric monoclonal antibody (MAb), in ... oncoprotein," will be presented at the 2013 Annual ... during the Developmental Therapeutics - Immunotherapy Oral Abstract ... 4:30 PM.  The presentation will describe the results ...
Breaking Biology Technology:The Development of an Innovative Microtablet Dosage Form, a Success Story: Live Webinar Hosted by Xtalks 2Adult Acne Treatment, Probiotic Action Explains How Hypnotherapy and Probiotics May Cure Various Skin Conditions 2Emerson Resources Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of Successor 2Emerson Resources Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of Successor 3MacroGenics Announces Margetuximab (MGAH22) Phase 1 Data Presentation at ASCO; Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study to Evaluate Activity of Margetuximab in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer 2MacroGenics Announces Margetuximab (MGAH22) Phase 1 Data Presentation at ASCO; Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study to Evaluate Activity of Margetuximab in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer 3
... , PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 3 Shire plc (LSE: SHP, Nasdaq: ... a voluntary recall of five lots and voluntary market withdrawal ... ® . Shire is taking this action because some Daytrana ... meet their release liner removal specification, and as a result, ...
... , , COLUMBIA, Md., Dec. 2 ... it intends to release the results of its fourth quarter and ... Eastern Time (ET). Following the release, at 4:45 p.m. ET ... investors. All interested parties may listen to the call live ...
... , NEW YORK, Dec. 2 Nearly 600 ... to explore novel development approaches and innovative funding strategies at ... FasterCures, the Washington-based center of the Milken Institute, ... needed to turn a scientific discovery into an accessible therapy. ...
Cached Biology Technology:Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 2Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 3Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 4Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 5Martek to Announce Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009 Results 2Medical Research Leaders Explore Novel Strategies to Expedite the Search for Cures 2
DNA Polymerase I Large (Klenow) Fragment is a DNA polymerase that lacks the 5'Cut Site3' exodeoxyribonuclease activity of intact DNA Polymerase I but it contains the 3'Cut Site5' exodeoxyribonuclease...
Guanylate Kinase Purified Anti-Mouse, Anti-Rat clone 28, Isotype Mouse IgG 1 , 50 µg Consult technical datasheet for details....
Proliferin (C-14)...
... of your ValveBank system! Program your ... Macintosh computer using graphic 'click-and-drag' timebars. Save ... out program listings, then download your programs ... step., EasyCode is used for programming before ...
Biology Products: