Spotlight on Sri Lanka-historicized 48,000 years old technology
The evolutionary process which led to the emergence of anatomically modern humans shows some significant stages. We, humans or the Homo sapiens have overcome millions of obstacles over the centuries and millennia and now have reached the zenith. Today we have modern technological equipment to fulfill our tasks, but not many millennia back. Archaeologists managed to discover the hidden technologies of the prehistoric era over the years with the aid of modern technology. Recently, another evidence was discovered by them. So, this article is about this new discovery.
What was this new discovery?
Archaeological excavations recently revealed the earliest evidence for hunting with the aid of bows and arrows outside Africa. This was reported in a cave located in the South Asian island of Sri Lanka. This cave, colloquially known as the ‘Pahiyangala lena’ or the ‘Fa-Hien Lena’ is in the wet zone of the island.
So what’s the oldest evidence for hunting with bows and arrows?
The oldest evidence for hunting with bows and arrows was reported in Sibudu cave in South Africa. That evidence runs back to 64,000 years. Apart from the African continent, the oldest evidence was previously reported in Germany. It dated back to approximately 18,000 years. But the new discovery in Sri Lanka dates back to 48,000 years. Therefore it’s now the oldest evidence, outside Africa, for the use of bow and arrow.
More about this new evidence
New studies show that the early humans lived in Sri Lanka had made tools using animal bones. They had used these crafted tools to hunt animals like monkeys and giant squirrels.
Last year archaeologists who excavated the ‘Fa-Hien Lena’ cave discovered bones of monkeys and giant squirrels. They revealed that early humans hunted them.
At the same time the researchers found some other tools which give rare insights into the lives of early humans of Sri Lanka. Well preserved knives, scrapers and awls were among these newly discovered tools. They had been made of bones and teeth of monkeys and deer.
At the same time, researchers managed to uncover some beads made of shells, shark teeth as well as ochre. The studies proved that the beads made of ochre found in this cave, are the oldest known beads made only of ochre. These beads date back to approximately 45,000 years.