Scientists date the oldest known tools made from whale bones to 20,000 years ago
NEW YORK — Scientists have pinpointed the oldest known evidence of humans making tools from whale bone.
The bones, fashioned into narrow projectiles for hunting, had been uncovered in excavations dating back over a century in the Bay of Biscay near Spain and France. Scientists figured the tools were quite ancient, but many were small fragments so it was hard to determine their age.
Technological advancements in the past decade have now made it possible to date the oldest of the tools to about 20,000 years ago. Scientists found that the bones came from blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales and other species.
'Humans and whales have clearly been encountering one another for a long time,' said Vicki Szabo with Western Carolina University, who studies the history of whaling and was not involved with the latest research.
Scientists think that ancient humans were crafting whale bone instruments in places including the Arctic and South Pacific. There's been solid evidence of whale bone tools dating back to about 5,000 years ago, but the new research published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications pushes the timeline back.
Ancient humans weren't necessarily hunting whales, said study author Jean-Marc Petillon with the French National Centre for Scientific Research. More likely, they were scavenging the bodies of beached whales and fashioning their dense, heavy bones into tools to hunt reindeer or bison.
The tools indicate that ancient people in the area took advantage of resources near the sea for survival. They likely also collected seashells and fished. Finding such evidence has been difficult as rising sea levels disrupt coastlines across the globe, scientists said.
'It's one more contribution to the importance of coastal environments for human groups, even in this long past,' said Petillon.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Adithi Ramakrishnan, The Associated Press
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By fostering collaboration through knowledge-sharing and technology transfer, this partnership aims to demonstrate Malaysia's growing industrial capabilities and position local companies as credible and capable partners on the international stage. Furthermore, the anticipated investment and cooperation under this MoU are expected to contribute meaningfully to Malaysia's economic growth, technological advancement, and the overall strengthening of its defence ecosystem. ABOUT COALITON OF DEFENCE, MALAYSIA – CDIM (M) The Coalition of Defence Industry, Malaysia – CDI (M) is a unified body that represents the collective interests of Malaysia's defence sector. CDI (M) is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where industry players can work together to drive growth, innovation, and unity in Malaysia's defence sector. With a mission to advocate for policies and regulations that benefit the defence industry, CDI (M) also provides a vital platform for networking and collaboration among its members. The coalition is dedicated to supporting the growth and professional development of its members by offering training, conducting industry research, and promoting ethical standards and best practices. Through these efforts, CDI (M) aims to build a thriving and self-reliant defence industry in Malaysia, capable of meeting the nation's defence needs and positioning itself as a leader in the regional and global defence landscape. Please visit: CDI (M) ISSUED BY MNAIR PR CONSULTANCY SDN BHD ON BEHALF OF GLOBAL TURBINE ASIA SDN BHD AS COALITION OF DEFENCE, MALAYSIA MEMBERS Contacts for Media Enquiries: MNAIR PR Consultancy Sdn Bhd Sashikala Nair Director, Public Relations +6012 566 9095 sashi@ Ameera Hani Associate Director, Public Relations +6014 224 3296 ameera@ Coalition of Defence, Malaysia – CDI (M) Puan Ilme Onn Honorary Secretary +6012 244 4996 ilme@ Global Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd Muhassanah Murad Corporate Communication | CEO Department +60 18 261 3093 ]]> Source: The Coalition of Defence Industry, Malaysia - CDI (M) Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
