April 14, 2011 By Margaret Allen The long-held theory that early
human ancestors in East Asia crafted their tools from bamboo and
wood is much more complicated than originally conceived,
according to a new study. Research until now has failed to
address a fundamental question: Is it even possible to make
complex bamboo tools with simple stone tools? Now an
experimental archaeological study — in which a modern-day flint
knapper replicated the crafting of bamboo knives — confirms that
it is possible to make a variety of bamboo tools with the
simplest stone tools. However, rather than confirming the long-
held "bamboo hypothesis," the new research shows there's more to
the theory, says archaeologist Metin I. Eren, the expert knapper
who crafted the tools for the study. Read the full story. Visit
Metin I. Eren's website. # # #