Prehistoric people took fishing techniques in deep waters

An archaeological finding shows that prehistoric people who lived more than 40,000 years ago knew how to master the skills needed to catch fast-paced fish in deep waters.

Associate Professor Sue O'Connor, of the Australian National University (ANU), dug out the bones of more than 2,800 Jerimalai cave fishes located in the easternmost part of Timor Leste. Research results show that some of the animals were caught about 42,000 years ago.

Ms O'Connor stressed that the finding showed that people in the area had complex skills based on their experience to catch deep-sea fish, a difficult job.

Professor O'Connor said: "What this archaeological site tells us is that the early modern people living on the island in Southeast Asia had amazing seafaring skills. They are a fishing expert, but even today catching them is considered a challenge, such as tuna ".

It is not known exactly which technique people lived at that time in this area used to catch fish, but it was certain that they used complex techniques and ships to fish offshore.

Jerimalai is a small cave hidden behind dense foliage, only a few hundred meters from the coast. Professor O'Connor said: "When I discovered this cave in 2005, I did not think that Jerimalai would tell us about people who had lived very early in Timor Leste. I was surprised to find bones. Fish and turtle bones here. "

So far, Mrs. O'Connnor and her colleagues have just dug two small holes, but only in a 1-meter-wide hole and 2m deep, they found 39,000 fish bones along with some artifacts and bones. objects, seashells stringed and hooks.

Remarkably, scientists also unearthed a piece of a small hook made of shells, dating from about 16,000 to 23,000 years ago. This is the oldest hooked evidence ever discovered and scientists hope the expansion of excavation may reveal more hooks at this site.