Sometimes scientists come across something that even they themselves cannot believe. Something similar has happened in Greece also. Here scientists have discovered something millions of years old, which is surprising for everyone. In fact, scientists have found two artefacts on the banks of a lake here, which are said to be one of the oldest wooden tools discovered so far. It has been claimed that these tools are 430,000 years old. Although human remains have not been found at the site yet, so it is not clear who used these tools, but it is being said that their owners could be Neanderthals, who are considered to be the early ancestors of humans.
A research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed that among these wooden tools is a thin stick which is about two and a half feet (80 centimeters) long. It is believed that it might have been used for digging mud. The second tool is a small and mysterious piece of willow or poplar wood, which could have been held by hand and may have been used to shape stone tools.
Scientists believe that ancient humans used a variety of tools made of stone, bone and wood, but it is difficult to find evidence of tools made of wood because wood rots very quickly. Such tools are preserved only in specific environments like ice, caves or underwater. It is believed that these new tools found in the Megalopolis Basin of Greece were probably buried quickly in the sediment and preserved over time due to the moist environment.
Researchers have previously discovered other remains at this site, including stone tools and elephant bones, which have markings on them. Although scientists have not directly determined the age of the wooden tools, the site is approximately 430,000 years old and from this the age of these tools can be estimated.
Archaeologist Jarrod Hutson of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History said that there are probably many more priceless relics of the past that are yet to be discovered at this site in Greece, but due to the simple structure of these two new tools, it becomes difficult to tell about them. He said, 'It is difficult to get excited about these tools, because at first glance they do not look like wooden tools. We don't even know what they were used for.
