Humans wore leather clothes 40,000 years ago
A recent study of a bone fragment found at a dig site in Spain, suggests that early humans were wearing leather clothes almost 40,000 years ago.
The 39,600 year old mammal bone, found at Terrasses de la Riera dels Canyars near Barcelona, has 28 puncture marks including ten found in a linear sequence. Microscopic analysis revealed that the line of indents was made by one tool and that the other dots were made at different times by five different tools. Quite different from more common tally marks or decorations found on similar bone artefacts.
Using experimental archaeology, the researchers tried to recreate the marks and found that they were made by hitting a chisel like stone tool through a thick hide, in a process called indirect percussion, a method still employed by cobblers and leather workers.
The discovery gives some evidence to how Homo Sapiens, who reached Europe around 42,000 years ago, were able to make fitting clothing. Eyed needles have only been found in the region dating back around 26,000 years and wouldn't be strong enough to repeatedly puncture thick leather.
“The most likely explanation for the indents is that they were made during the manufacture or repair of leather items. After punching a hole in the animal hide, a thread could be pushed through the material with a pointed tool to make a tight seam” said research lead, Luc Doyon from the University of Bordeaux, France.
The “punch board” bone was one of six artefacts found at the site and suggest it could be part of a repair kit.
Image shows Prehistoric bone (top) and researchers recreation of puncture technique on leather.
Credit: Francesco d'Errico and Luc Doyon
