Bamboo tool-making study shines light on East Asia's Stone Age tool scarcity

Southern Methodist University ^ | April 7, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

Bamboo knives are easy to make — and will cut meat, but not hides, suggesting prehistoric people preferred crudely made stone flakes

The long-held theory that early human ancestors in East Asia crafted their tools from bamboo and wood is much more complicated than originally conceived, according to a new study.

Research until now has failed to address a fundamental question: Is it even possible to make complex bamboo tools with simple stone tools?

Now an experimental archaeological study — in which a modern-day flint knapper replicated the crafting of bamboo knives — confirms that it is possible to make a variety of bamboo tools with the simplest stone tools.

However, rather than confirming the long-held "bamboo hypothesis," the new research shows there's more to the theory, says archaeologist Metin I. Eren, the expert knapper who crafted the tools for the study.

Study: Bamboo knives were efficiently crafted and able to cut meat, but not hide

The researchers found that crudely knapped stone choppers made from round rock "cobbles" performed remarkably well for chopping down bamboo. In addition, bamboo knives were efficiently crafted with stone tools.

While the knives easily cut meat, they weren't effective at cutting animal hides, however, possibly discouraging their use during the Stone Age, say the authors. Some knives made from a softer bamboo species entirely failed to produce and hold a sharp edge.

[bgill]

I don’t know why the experts think prehistoric man was such a dunce. The first time he stepped on some bamboo in his bare feet, he’d have figured it out that that stuff cuts real good.

[decimon]

Punji ping.

[decimon]

I was thinking that bamboo may have been better as an everyday tool. It’s lighter for carrying around, has a natural grip shape and, for cutting, doesn’t chip into your food.

[JoeProBono]

[KrisKrinkle]

National Geographic recently had a TV show about cannibalism. They used bamboo knives to cut up a pig.

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

Eating pigs? And they call themselves cannibals! ;’)

[SunkenCiv]

Wow, wfh happened there?

[Bernard Marx]

Long pig, maybe?