Earliest Homo sapiens exhibited unexpected sophistication

[Judi Lynn]

MARCH 15, 2018 / 4:30 PM / UPDATED 8 HOURS AGO

Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On a grassy African landscape, some of the earliest members of our species, Homo sapiens, engaged in surprisingly sophisticated behaviors including using color pigments, creating advanced tools and trading for resources with other groups of people.

Those findings were reported on Thursday by scientists who examined artifacts dating from 320,000 years ago unearthed in southern Kenya, roughly the same age as the earliest-known Homo sapiens fossils discovered elsewhere in Africa.

The researchers found abundant evidence of long-distance transfer of obsidian to the Olorgesailie Basin location from sites up to 55 miles (88 km) away over rugged terrain, leading them to believe it was acquired from another group through trade although it was unknown what was provided in exchange.

The findings indicate advances in technology and social structures unexpected so early in our species’ history, they said.

More:
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-science-humans/earliest-homo-sapiens-exhibited-unexpected-sophistication-idUKKCN1GR3A7?rpc=401&