The renowned Hohle Fels Cave in southern Germany is widely celebrated for hosting the world's oldest flutes and the 'Venus of Hohle Fels,' one of the earliest examples of figurative art. However, a 20-centimeter ivory rod featuring four precision-drilled holes, unearthed in 2015, initially remained in the shadow of these more famous finds. Detailed analyses and experimental studies have now revealed that this object represents one of the most critical technologies of the Stone Age [1].
From Plant Fibers to Rope
Researchers discovered that this tool, meticulously carved from mammoth ivory, was designed to twist surrounding plant fibers into durable ropes. Wear patterns and plant residues found inside the holes confirm that the object was a functional tool. Dated to approximately 35,000 years ago, this finding demonstrates that humans of that era were capable of producing practical solutions to complex technical problems [2].
Hohle Fels Cave is one of the richest sites providing data on the Aurignacian period, the era when modern humans spread across Europe. It is now evaluated that during this period, human technical skills were far more advanced than previously thought, paralleling their aesthetic and spiritual worlds [3]. Because organic materials like rope decay rapidly underground, they rarely leave traces in the archaeological record; therefore, the discovery of a tool used in rope production fills a significant gap in understanding the 'invisible' technologies of that time.
Validation Through Experimental Archaeology
To understand how the tool functioned, scientists conducted experiments by creating exact replicas of the ivory object. During these trials, it was observed that fibers passed through the holes were perfectly twisted as the tool was rotated, forming strong cords similar in structure to the ropes used today. This discovery clearly explains how Paleolithic communities produced the materials necessary for setting hunting nets, transporting heavy loads, or securing shelters.
Sources and further reading
- [1] Rope, twine and thread: Invisible technologies of the Stone Age – Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum – Page 1
- [2] Rope, twine and thread: Invisible technologies of the Stone Age
- [3] Rope, Twine and Thread: Invisible Technologies of the Stone Age
Image & News Source: Phys.org - Archaeology & Fossils / phys.org