Nature Podcast

Earliest crafted bone tools date back 1.5 million years

Mar 5, 2025

Ignacio de la Torre, a study author, reveals the groundbreaking discovery of ancient bone tools dated to 1.5 million years ago in Tanzania. This astonishing find suggests early humans systematically crafted these implements much earlier than previously believed. The discussion includes how this insight could reshape our understanding of human evolution and technological advancements. Additionally, the podcast touches on the dual role of proteasomes in immune defense and the unexpected navigation skills of cane toads, offering a rich tapestry of topics related to natural history.

29:48

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Ignacio de la Torre

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Quick takeaways

The discovery of 1.5-million-year-old bone tools in Tanzania indicates early humans had advanced crafting skills beyond stone tools, revising our understanding of technological development.

Research on the proteasome reveals its dual role in degrading proteins and producing antimicrobial peptides, suggesting new therapeutic avenues for combating infections.

Deep dives

Discovery of Early Bone Tools

The unearthing of 27 bone artifacts in Tanzania, dating back 1.5 million years, reveals early hominins' sophisticated use of materials beyond stone tools. These artifacts, created from the limb bones of large mammals like hippos and elephants, suggest a systematic approach to tool-making among ancient humans much earlier than previously documented. Archaeologists speculate these tools may have been used for heavy-duty activities such as processing carcasses, indicating a level of ingenuity and technological capability that challenges existing narratives about early human development. This discovery not only pushes back the timeline of bone tool use but invites further exploration into the archaeological record to identify possible missed examples of such tools in earlier contexts.

Intro

2min

Unearthing Ancient Technology

9min

Cane Toad Navigation and Geological Mysteries Uncovered

2min

Revolutionizing Immunology: The Role of Proteasomes

9min

Peptides and the Moon: A Dual Exploration

4min

The Future of AMOC: Climate Change and Ocean Currents

4min

Assessing Climate Stability and Future Implications

2min

00:46 Ancient humans made bone tools 1.5 million years ago

A 1.5-million-year-old cache of animal-bone tools reveals that ancient humans systematically crafted with this material much earlier than previously thought. Researchers uncovered 27 bone artefacts in Tanzania honed into sharp tools almost 40 cm long. This discovery pushes back the dedicated manufacture of bone tools by around a million years and could have helped these early humans develop new kinds of technology. “This raises a lot of interesting questions,” says study author Ignacio de la Torre.

Research Article: de la Torre et al.

09:11 Research Highlights

Cane toads’ remarkable homing abilities, and evidence that the block of rock that makes up southern Tibet originated in what is now Australia.

Research Highlight: Take me home, country toads

Research Highlight: Lhasa′s rocks reveal an Australian birthplace

11:45 A trove of antibacterial molecules hidden in human proteins

To help protect against infection, cells in the body will selectively cut proteins to produce molecules known as antimicrobial peptides, according to new research. A team has found that many potential peptides appear to be locked up within proteins — to get them out, cells shift the activity of a waste-disposal system called the proteasome, known for its role in protein degradation and recycling. In tests, one of these peptides showed efficacy at protecting mice from infection, indicating that these molecules could one day have therapeutic potential.

Research Article: Goldberg et al.

News and Views: Protein waste turned into antibiotics as a defence strategy of human cells

21:08 Briefing Chat

An update on two missions heading to the Moon to look for water, and why fears that a crucial ocean-current system will collapse in the face of climate change may be incorrect.

Nature: Meet the ice-hunting robots headed for the Moon right now

Nature: Iconic ocean-current system is safe from climate collapse ― for now

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