The discovery of ancient wooden tools in Greece has left archaeologists intrigued and puzzled. These tools, estimated to be around 430,000 years old, were found in a low-lying valley in the Peloponnese peninsula, an area once covered by wetlands and lakes. One of the tools, a 2.5-foot-long stick, was likely used for digging in mud, while the other, a small handheld chunk of wood, may have been used to shape stone tools. The preservation of these wooden tools is remarkable, as wood typically decays quickly. The absence of modern humans in the region at the time suggests that the tools may have been used by Neanderthals or early human ancestors. However, some archaeologists remain cautious, as the tools don't immediately appear as wooden tools. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the importance of systematic investigation of early wood remains. This discovery joins other recent prehistoric finds that have surprised archaeologists, including cave art dating back about 68,000 years and the world's oldest poisoned arrowheads, estimated to be around 60,000 years old.
