The world’s oldest wooden tool with a handle discovered in Central Catalonia

Capellades (ACN) .- A team of researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Palaeoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) found the remains of a wooden tool with a handle that is over 56,000 years old at the site of the ‘Abric Romaní’ in the town of Capellades, in Central Catalonia. According to the director of the excavation, Eudald Carbonell, this piece is “unique in the world” and could be related to Neanderthals’ fruit “collection or maintenance of fire”. The discovery consists of a charred casing of a wooden tool with a handle that “it seems, was used with one hand” said Carbonell. It was uncovered during this August during one of the excavations at the ‘Abric Romaní’.

The finding made at the site ‘Abric Romaní’ is "unique in the world" as it is the oldest wooden craft with handle on “world’s archaeological records”, said Carbonell. The piece is partially charred and has survived thanks to the travertine, stone shelter typical to Capellades.

From 8^th to 31^st August a team of thirty researchers are carrying out the excavation at the ‘Abric Romaní’ in Capellades. According to Eudald Carbonell, he is currently working at 'P' level corresponding to 56 000 years ago but he still has 16 meters left to excavate that could uncover remains up to 100,000 years old. Carbonell stated that the site follows the life of the Neanderthals from 35,000 to 90,000 years ago.

The tool itself is 15cm long and 8cm wide and has a triangular shape. The handle is circular and 17cm long by 4cm in diameter and is thought to have facilitated action. According to the director of the excavations, although they are not completely sure about the use or functionality of the actual piece, the working hypothesis within the archaeological team is that the device could be linked "with the collection [of fruit and vegetables] or fire maintenance "of the Neanderthals.

Other discoveries at the ‘Abric Romaní’

In addition to the piece of wood located, this summer’s excavation campaign within the Capellades shelter has also found a number of homes with the remains of deer, cattle and horses and various objects made of wood. The excavation campaign which has been operational since last year has already found 13,000 new fossils, among which there were traces of wooden hearths and highly protected areas of room.

The future of the Neanderthal Museum

The future Catalan Museum of the Neanderthals, which will be established at the site of the ’Abric Romaní’ of Capellades, has seen its executive project being drafted for the last month ago. The major of Capellades, Marcel·lí Martorell said that the next step will be “to sell the project to get the necessary funding” The project has a budget of 5 million euros. Martorell stressed that investments should not only come from the Catalan Government but also from the Spanish State.

The Spanish Ministry of Public Works has cut the 2 million euros investment planned for this year, which had to be allocated to building the future museum. At present, the facilities already include an underground tunnel which will connect the excavation site with the future museum.