If I had a hammer... it might actually be a rhino tooth
Summary
Archaeologists studied rhino teeth to understand if Neanderthals used them as tools. By striking rhino teeth with rocks, they confirmed that the markings on ancient rhino teeth likely came from Neanderthals using them in tool-making.Key Facts
- Neanderthal sites in Europe and Asia show unusually high numbers of rhino teeth compared to rhino bones.
- Rhino teeth found at sites like Panxian Dadong (China) and Payre (France) often have marks made by repeated hits, similar to hammering.
- Researchers wanted to test if these marks came from Neanderthals using rhino teeth as tools.
- Getting real rhino teeth for experiments was hard because rhinos are protected and laws restrict trading their parts.
- Scientists obtained 18 white rhino teeth from zoos in France for their tests.
- An expert hit the rhino teeth with stones to make and shape stone tools, recreating what Neanderthals likely did.
- The marks made during experiments matched those seen on ancient rhino teeth, supporting the idea that Neanderthals used rhino teeth as hand tools.
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