Archaeologists working in central China have uncovered ancient stone tools designed to be attached to handles, offering strong evidence of early, complex tool-making techniques.
The tools, which date back between 160,000 and 72,000 years, were found at the Xigou site near the Danjiang River. This discovery suggests that ancient human populations in East Asia used advanced methods much earlier than previously thought.
Researchers say the tools were not intended to be held directly in hand. Instead, their shape and design indicate they were made to be fastened to wooden or bone handles. This method, known as hafting, allowed users to apply more force and gain better control — a sign of advanced planning and craftsmanship.
These findings challenge the long-standing view that early technology in East Asia developed more slowly or less complexly than in Africa or western Eurasia. The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, provides fresh insight into how early humans in China thought about tools — not just as objects, but as multi-part instruments built for specific tasks.
Detailed early tool-making process uncovered through wear analysis
The process of creating these tools involved several well-organized steps. First, stone pieces were shaped to fit certain size and edge standards. Next, handles were prepared by carving notches or hollowing out sections where the stones would fit. The stones were then secured using bindings made from natural materials like plant fibers or animal tissue. In some cases, researchers found signs that adhesives were also used to reinforce the bond.
To understand how the tools were used, scientists examined them under a microscope. They looked at patterns of wear — such as polish, tiny scratches, and smoothed edges — which suggested the tools had been used for cutting, piercing, and processing plants.
Some of the tools also showed signs of being repeatedly attached and removed from their handles, suggesting that these tools were maintained and reused over long periods.
Consistent tool-making methods show long-term knowledge transfer
Excavations at Xigou revealed more than 2,600 ancient stone artifacts and tools with handles, many made from quartz — a tough material known to break unpredictably. Despite this challenge, the ancient toolmakers consistently created small, uniform flakes, showing both skill and planning.
Stone tools from central China show signs of hafting as early as 160,000 years ago. The discovery suggests advanced planning and skill among early human groups, reshaping ideas about Paleolithic technology in East Asia. pic.twitter.com/2H2vGtotX4
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) January 27, 2026
Researchers identified production methods that involved careful control over how the stone was struck. These techniques were not random; each step affected the next, and the same methods were found in different layers of the site. This consistency points to shared knowledge passed down over generations, rather than isolated individual attempts.
The tools were dated using modern techniques that analyze the last time minerals were exposed to sunlight. The results confirmed that people were making these tools over a stretch of about 90,000 years. During this time, other fossil finds in China show that various early human groups, including those with Denisovan traits, lived across the region.
What makes Xigou especially significant is the long period over which these tools remained unchanged. Even as climates and surroundings changed, the toolmakers continued using similar designs and techniques. Researchers believe this shows how well early communities adapted to their environment — relying on practical knowledge that worked, and passing it along through generations.
This discovery adds a new chapter to the global story of human innovation. While early hafted tools from Africa and western Eurasia have long been seen as milestones, the Xigou site proves that early humans in East Asia were also developing advanced technology far earlier than once believed.