Researchers have identified the oldest whale bone tools ever discovered, estimated to be around 20,000 years old. These slender projectile artifacts were uncovered in the Bay of Biscay, located along the coastlines of Spain and France. The bones came from large whale species, including blue whales, fin whales, and sperm whales. Experts believe that the ancient humans who created these tools did not hunt whales but scavenged bones from beached or stranded animals. The tools were likely intended for hunting large land animals such as reindeer and bison. This discovery offers significant insights into how early humans survived by utilizing resources found along coastal environments. The findings were published in Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Researchers have noted that much archaeological evidence has been lost due to rising sea levels, making discoveries like these particularly valuable.

Recent technological advancements in radiocarbon dating allowed scientists to determine the precise age of the artifacts. According to Jean-Marc Petillon of the French National Centre for Scientific Research, the dense and heavy bones of whales were suitable for creating strong hunting weapons. Vicki Szabo, a historian from Western Carolina University who was not involved in the study, noted that the discovery illustrates the long and complex relationship between humans and whales throughout history. The study also suggests that early coastal communities engaged in activities such as fishing and shell collection, in addition to hunting. These findings underscore the enduring importance of coastal environments in supporting human populations, even tens of thousands of years ago, and provide a new perspective on the adaptive strategies of ancient societies.