SinghNS201
Oldowan Tools
According to Stanley Ambrose's article, "Paleolithic Technology and Human Evolution," tool manufacture began about 2.5 million years ago. The article also states that early hominids had a good understanding of the mechanical properties of lithic raw materials, fracture mechanics, and geometry. Getting to see and feel the stone tools during lab, such as this blacked knife, corroborated this statement, which was fascinating. Many of these well formed flakes fall under the umbrella of Oldowan technology, and it is interesting to note how the development of these tools led to the evolution of our species. Better tools means access to better food quality because you have more options at your disposal. Better food quality means enhanced nourishment, and according to Ambrose, this meant better fuel for the high metabolic energy demands of our larger brains. The connections are numerous. Perhaps the most fascinating hypothesis Ambrose presented was that the habitual tool-making of early man involving bimanual coordination may have led to the lateralization of brain functions. Being able to hold these stone tools in the palm of my hand, reflecting upon how these small objects were responsible for so much evolution culturally and biologically was a great experience.
Oldowan Tools
According to Stanley Ambrose's article, "Paleolithic Technology and Human Evolution," tool manufacture began about 2.5 million years ago. The article also states that early hominids had a good understanding of the mechanical properties of lithic raw materials, fracture mechanics, and geometry. Getting to see and feel the stone tools during lab, such as this blacked knife, corroborated this statement, which was fascinating. Many of these well formed flakes fall under the umbrella of Oldowan technology, and it is interesting to note how the development of these tools led to the evolution of our species. Better tools means access to better food quality because you have more options at your disposal. Better food quality means enhanced nourishment, and according to Ambrose, this meant better fuel for the high metabolic energy demands of our larger brains. The connections are numerous. Perhaps the most fascinating hypothesis Ambrose presented was that the habitual tool-making of early man involving bimanual coordination may have led to the lateralization of brain functions. Being able to hold these stone tools in the palm of my hand, reflecting upon how these small objects were responsible for so much evolution culturally and biologically was a great experience.