Stick to the Past: Unveiling Extinct Heidelberg Hominids' Hidden Talents as Masterful Hunters and Craftsmen

A simple stick found at the Schoeningen Palaeolithic site complex in Lower Saxony, Germany has revealed new insights into the abilities of extinct Heidelberg hominids as hunters and craftsmen. The four-foot-long double-pointed throwing stick was discovered among a number of similar wooden tools, suggesting that these hominids had a permanent encampment by the lakeside where they lived. The stick's skillful woodwork techniques suggest that these early humans, known as the "Heidelberg People," may have been more sophisticated and intelligent than previously thought. The stick was a well-planned, expertly manufactured and finely finished tool, according to Dr. Annemieke Milks of Reading University, lead author of the study. The Heidelberg People were the first recorded proper hominids to build homes and hunt big game, but they became extinct before the end of the last Ice Age. Researchers believe that the double-pointed sticks were potentially used to assist in the hunting of larger prey but may have also been used for hunting birds and small mammals. The stick's discovery has shed new light on the early human ancestors' hunting abilities and their ability to create sophisticated tools. The Schoeningen hominins had the capacity for remarkable planning depth, knowledge of raw materials, and considerable woodworking skill, resulting in an expertly designed tool, according to Dr. Milks.