1.1 million year old treasure found in China 'reshaped human history'

Ancient humans came to the land that is now China much earlier than previously predicted and had very developed technology .

A new study led by Professor PEI Shuwen from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor Ignacio de la Torre from the Institute of History of the Research Council Spain changed the timeline of human evolution.

A treasure trove of artifacts unearthed in China points to an important milestone in human history - (Photo: PNAS).

According to an article published in the scientific journal PNAS , they analyzed a treasure trove of valuable artifacts excavated from the Nihewan basin (Hunan province - China) and discovered they were 1.1 million years old.

More surprisingly, the technology for making these Stone Age tools is Mode 2 , a more advanced manufacturing method than early Mode 1.

Mode 2 is characterized by several techniques that deliberately exfoliate the rock, with a standardized manufacturing process. In addition, some tools also have drill holes.

Many stone fragments separated from tools when crafted were also found, with certain similarities and providing convincing evidence of this standardization, according to SciTech Daily.

Mode 2 marked a leap in early human technology , much more complex, elaborate and useful than its predecessor Mode 1.

Previously, it was believed that technology in East Asia for a long time was still made in Mode 1 style.

The above discovery brings two important new data:

1. One is that ancient human species appeared in East Asia, specifically the area that is today China, much earlier than previously understood.
2. Second, they possessed very advanced technology, developing Mode 2 toolmaking skills at least 300,000 years earlier than old data.

Thus, East Asia may not be the first place on Earth where Mode 2 appeared, but it is one of the earliest places where people with this technology came and settled. Therefore, human history may once again need to be rewritten.