When discussing humanity's past, many people think of great monuments, such as the pyramids of Egypt or the ruins of ancient cities. However, some of the most significant archaeological treasures are much smaller and often go unnoticed: lithic materials. These stone artifacts were essential for the survival and development of early civilizations and continue to be valuable clues about who we were and how we lived.
Urandir Fernandes de Oliveira explains that lithic materials are humans' first artifacts to survive: "They are tools made of stone, used for hunting, cutting, scraping, and even for symbolic or ritual purposes."
The word "lithic" comes from the Greek lithos, which means stone. These materials, among the oldest and most enduring archaeological remains, serve as a tangible link to our ancient past. They show that, long before developing metal or writing, our ancestors already mastered the art of transforming stone into tools that would change the course of history.
"There are different types of lithic materials, and each reveals something crucial about how these people lived and organized themselves," says Urandir. The study of these materials is not just about stones, but about understanding the very fabric of ancient societies.
How were they made?
There are two main techniques:
Carving: This technique was widely used in the Paleolithic or Flaked Stone Age. You hit one stone against another to remove pieces and shape the tool. It would help to be precise because a nasty blow can ruin the whole work.
Polishing: Later, in the Neolithic, they developed the polishing technique. Then, the tools became more refined, with smooth and sharp edges. It was a longer process, but the result was incredible—much more effective tools.
"Each tool, each flake of stone, carries information about how these people lived. Through them, we can understand their hunting habits, migration routes, and exchange networks."
In addition, these tools last thousands of years and are often the only traces left of ancient civilizations. Interestingly, these stones tell the story of not just one person but all humanity. After all, at some point, we all used stones as tools.
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