How Tools Aided in the Survival of Hominids and Early Humans

The Beginning of Tools

Image 1

The first tool ever gripped, was by the hands of an Australopithecine more than 3 million years ago. Avoiding death, which at the time proved to be a difficult task, was the main worry of the Australopithecine. Predators and lack of food were the main cause of death, but the resourceful species was able to solve their problem of collecting food ("Cut-marked Fossil Zebra Bone OG56-1 Gona, Ethiopia"). Although scientists were not able to find the tools because they were made at such an early time; however, damage was found on the bones of the animals that were prey to the Australopithecine (Vergano). This suggests they used tools to kill and cut animals (Vergano) (See Image 1).

Technology and Tools progress with the Help of the Handy Man

The Homo habilis, like their Australopithecine ancestors, had perishable tools made from wood. However, not all of the Homo habilis tools were lost, as some of their tools were made from bone and stone ("Homo habilis"). The Homo habilis had the same mentality- survive, and with a slightly bigger brain, the Homo habilis were able to create more tools ("Homo habilis"). It is believed by some paleontologists that they used the bones from dead animals as weapons (See Image 2) ("Early Human Culture"). Using bones as a tool would have its benefits over the previously used resource of wood in hunting and butchering prey, and in breaking tougher objects.

The Homo Erectus Expand the Collection of Tools

The Homo erectus, were perhaps the most resourceful. They finessed all the previous technology and tools seen by their ancestors and introduced yet another array of tools ("Homo erectus"). An example of a new tool that the habilis introduced was the hand axe (See Image 3). The hand axe was made of a rock that had an overall shape of a triangle but with curved edges. The Homo erectus discovered that a tool is more effective when it is sharpened and symmetrical ("Early Human Culture"). The axe allowed the habilis to improve chopping, digging, cutting, and butchering their prey ("Early Human Culture"). They also introduced the first spear, which even though it had a wooden point, was still an impressive feat considering that the spear is still used today (See Image 4). This improved their hunting skills dramatically and allowed for them bigger game.

The Homo Neadethals Intdouce knew technology

The Homo neanderthals were the next innovators. By now they had become great hunters and had deep personality traits that affect their technology. For example, whenever a fellow neanderthal would die, they would bury them and mark their spot with a stone or flower ("Homo Neanderthalensis"). They also made shelters in which they would live ("Homo neanderthalensis"). Although they did not expand much on hunting tools they did invent homes and graves, which is a massive jump in technology.

The Homo Neadethals Intdouce knew technology

Next are the Homo sapiens. These are humans, which in early times of their existence were able to develop tools that allowed for more prey to be killed without the risk of injury.This new tool was a projectile that allowed for early humans to hunt faster, more agile, and dangerous prey while still keeping distance (See Image 6)("Projectile Point"). This ensured that the early humans were properly fed.