In the Tabon Cave located in Palawan, Western Philippines, archaeologists have uncovered traces of a “timeless” technology dating back tens of thousands of years, far surpassing previous knowledge.
According to Ancient Origins, the oldest known artifacts related to fiber technology were previously recorded in China, dating back over 8,000 years. However, the latest discoveries in Tabon indicate that an ancient community in the Philippines mastered this technology as far back as 40,000 years ago.
Stone tools reveal fiber technology that emerged at an astonishing time in the Philippines – (Photo: PLOS ONE).
In a study recently published in the journal PLOS One, a team of scientists analyzed stone tools found in Tabon Cave, which is famous for a series of prehistoric human remains that have been excavated.
Microscopic evidence of wear from working with plant fibers revealed that these ancient people had been braiding ropes and weaving baskets from that unimaginable time.
Further research steps show that communities in the area, which the Philippines considers the cradle of this civilization, skillfully harvested resilient fibers from rugged plants like palms and bamboo to weave and tie.
Tabon Cave – (Photo: ANCIENT ORIGINS).
Researcher Hermine Zhauflair from the University of the Philippines Diliman emphasized the significance of fiber technology in human evolution.
This technological advancement facilitated the assembly of various objects such as baskets, traps, ropes for building homes, bows and arrows for hunting, and later sturdy boats with sails.
The fiber weaving and basketry toolkit of these Southeast Asian Stone Age people also differs from tools found in Africa and Europe, presenting a greater variety of sizes and shapes.
Scientists believe this variation arose from their adaptation process to the environment during the “Age of Bamboo”, a widely growing plant in the region.
This groundbreaking research not only sheds light on ancient fiber technology in Southeast Asia but also highlights the remarkable ingenuity of the early human population in the area, as well as their incredible adaptability.
