Scientists say fish hooks go back 42,000 years

MSNBC ^ | Alicia Chang | 11/25/2011

[Dysart]

[ClearCase_guy]

remains of tuna and other deep-water fish were uncovered inside a cave.

Hey, I've heard of whale fossils being found in deserts. Does that mean that people dragged dead whales deep into the desert?

[central_va]

What did they use for fishing line?

[Grunthor]

Boy that’s going to irk some ultra religious folks.

[freedumb2003]

>>Scientists say fish hooks go back 42,000 years<<

Which tracks with the discovery of the first “he was THIS big and got away” story...

[Sacajaweau]

Somehow, I picture netting and/or trapping came first (which we still do). And you’re right...where are the holes for the line in those hooks?? Or were they attached to poles?? Guess I’ll think about it.

[Average Al]

[central_va]

Or were they attached to poles?

The early polish people were good sports to do that.

[bunkerhill7]

Does this mean they had large ocean-going vessels 42,000 years ago, not just little banka outriggers?

[Sacajaweau]

Now I know why dad liked fishing....

[Sacajaweau]

Think those hooks are too small for big fish....1 cm = approx 3/8”.....and not convinced they’re fish hooks.

[DaveyB]

Boy that’s going to irk some ultra religious folks.

I think most of the ultra religious old earth evolutionist types won't care, at least until they sleep off their hangover.

[CrazyIvan]

Historians claim that beer was invented around 9500BC. That
means fishing was no fun for almost 30,000 years.

[Dysart]

Think those hooks are too small for big fish....1 cm = approx 3/8”.....and not convinced they’re fish hooks.

Skepticism is good. One could imagine or make a case they were used for adornment, as in a necklace. Probably drove randy cavemen wild.

[Sacajaweau]

So they got a tuna....and somehow they have interpreted that to mean they were experts at deep sea fishing. There are many possibilities....

[calex59]

There doesn’t appear to be anyway to attach a line to these so called “fishing hooks”. So how did they work? Call me skeptical, but I don’t think they are hooks for fishing.

[garybob]

Historians claim that beer was invented around 9500BC. That means fishing was no fun for almost 30,000 years.

This is my vote for the best post of the day...if not for the week.

Roll Tide

[Average Al]

Yep, tell the family it is just a guy thing..like hunting.

[bgill]

No, I’m not buying it either. No holes or ridges for the line to go through or wrap around. Not pointed enough to grab a fish, either. Possibly earrings or nose rings - same principle used today.

[Sacajaweau]

It almost looks like it's going to fit into something else...like the upper piece fits (pushes) into a hole, say in a tree or ????....and when pushed in, you have a closed circle....

Ah hah.....It's a hang a chicken by the neck...thing a ma jig.