Early Hominin Tools in North America

• Archeologists have discovered various types of tools that don't fit typical archaeological paradigms in North America.
• One such tool is made of flint, which isn't native to the area, yet bears beautiful flint-napping around its edges.
• Another tool has a pressure flake design and doesn't match any known Native American tool.
• Tools found locally resemble older, non-Native tools such as Oldowan and Mousterian tools.
• Oldowan tools were used during the Lower Paleolithic period and can be found across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
• Mousterian tools were used during the Middle Paleolithic period and primarily associated with Neanderthals in Europe.
• Tools with fracture type characteristics are also found, including a hand axe with carved human face.
• These tools come in various shapes and sizes, including large projectile points and scrapers.
• The Calico site in Southern California has yielded tools estimated to be 180,000 to 200,000 years old, similar to European paleolithic tools.
• Early hominins had the ability to navigate by water, suggesting the possibility of their presence in North America.
• Archaeologists are encouraged to think about alternative theories regarding who occupied North America early on.

Test your knowledge about the discovery of ancient tools in North America that challenge traditional archaeological paradigms. Learn about the unique characteristics of these tools and the implications for early human occupation in the region.