The world's oldest axe may have finally been unearthed after over 46,000 years in the ground, but scientists are now questioning whether it actually had a handle. After all, hand axes are a dime a dozen but ancient hafted axes are extremely rare. So is Australian National University's discovery actually the world's oldest hafted axe?
A Late Discovery
Although the world's oldest axe has been confirmed just recently, the object was actually found by Australian National University professor Sue O'Connor back in the early 1990s. O'Connor, who is also an archaeologist, stated that the axe was found in a rock shelter called Carpenter's Gap 1 in Windjana Gorge National Park in Kimberley, Western Australia.
The fragments of the axe were analyzed by University of Sydney's Professor Peter Hiscock. The professor stated that the world's oldest axe may give them proof as to when hafted axes were first invented (via Daily Mail). Professor Hiscock shared that archaeologists have long wondered if these axes were actually invented in Australia and that the world's oldest axe may have finally answered their question.
But What Was The World's Oldest Axe Used For?
Most of the hafted axes discovered by archaeologists have been listed as agricultural tools. However, the world's oldest axe is much older than the previously unearthed tools (via Gizmodo).
The researchers now believe that it may have been used as a tool to take down trees. In addition to that, there is a possibility that it might have been a tool to sharpen smaller axes.
Who Used The World's Oldest Axe?
Professor Sue O'Connor also believes that the world's oldest axe may have been created in Australia by the Aborigines after they have made the journey to the continent over 50,000 years ago. "We know that they didn't have axes where they came from," Professor O'Connor stated, noting that the tools were not discovered in the northern islands. "They arrived in Australia and innovated."
So Is It The World's Oldest Hafted Axe?
Although the discovery is indeed exciting, the validity of the world's oldest axe as being one with a handle is currently in question (via Daily Mail). The archaeologists have just admitted that although there is a high probability that it was a hafted axe, there is no evidence to back their claims.
