Archaeologists Unearth a Sizable Carving Tool: An Ivory Chisel Found Hidden Within a Stone Cavity
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed the world's largest ivory tool, a 25-centimeter-long chisel, dated to about 39,000 years ago, in a cave in the Alb-Donau district. This significant find provides new insights into the ivory industry and the skills of the cave dwellers during the "ivory age."
The chisel, now on display at the Prehistoric Museum in Blaubeuren, was made from an elephant's tusk, likely from a woolly mammoth, which was abundant during the Ice Age. The tool, a testament to prehistoric craftsmanship, was made and polished with great effort, showing significant signs of wear.
The "ivory age," which spans from 43,000 to 35,000 years ago, saw the widespread use of ivory for various purposes. The discovery of the chisel suggests that there was a thriving ivory industry in the Alb region during this period. Mammoth tusks were plentiful, and people also hunted and killed mammoths, especially smaller ones, to obtain ivory.
The chisel's purpose may have originally been as a lance tip, but its use was later repurposed into a chisel. Its size and wear suggest that it was used to split larger ivory parts or tusks. This discovery aligns with broader knowledge of Ice Age humans using mammoth ivory for practical and artistic purposes.
The archaeologists at the University of Tübingen believe that the Hohle Fels cave, where the chisel was discovered, may have been a whole ivory workshop. The chisel offers new insights into the craftsmanship and technology of the first modern humans, providing a glimpse into their daily lives and the sophistication of their ivory industry.
The chisel, found in the World Heritage Cave "Hohle Fels" in Schelklingen, is the largest ivory tool ever found, measuring exactly 24.8 centimeters long and weighing 168 grams. This discovery strongly suggests the presence of an ivory industry in the Alb region around 40,000 years ago, adding a new chapter to our understanding of prehistoric life.
On Thursday, the chisel was presented as the "Find of the Year," marking a significant milestone in archaeological research. The discovery underscores the importance of ongoing excavations and the preservation of historical artifacts for future generations to learn from.
The remarkable chisel, a product of prehistoric craftsmanship, was utilized not only for carving but also for splitting larger ivory parts, hinting at the development of a sophisticated fitness-and-exercise routine involving ivory work in the "ivory age." The emergence of health-and-wellness practices during this period can be inferred, as the people demonstrated diligence and dedication in their ivory-related tasks, such as the meticulous polishing of the chisel.
