A triangular artifact crafted from elephant bone was used by archaic human relatives to sharpen hand axes around 480,000 years ago in what is now the U.K., a new analysis reveals.
The item — which measures about 4.3 by 2.3 inches (10.9 by 5.8 centimeters) — represents the oldest known elephant bone tool ever found in Europe, according to the study, which was published Wednesday (Jan. 21) in the journal Science Advances, and demonstrates human relatives' high level of resourcefulness and ability to adapt to new environments as they settled in northern climates.
