From the London Hammer to Viking sunstones, it's like a time-traveling adventure without the awkward outfits!

Welcome to Strange History. This season, we are talking about science, space,

archaeology, and well really anything science. The oldest known artifacts are objects

that provide evidence of human activity and date back thousands of years. Here are

some examples. The Old Wind tools, the oldest known tools made by early

humans are from the Old Win culture, dating back approximately two point six million

years ago. These tools were simple stone flakes with sharp edges and were used

for cutting and scraping. The next one is the I'm not going to pronounce

this, the Lomaque stone tools, discovered in Kenya. These stone tools are

estimated to be around three point three million years old. These tools are more

complex than the Old Wind tools and indicate a greater level of technological advancement.

The Schoningen spears. These wooden spears were found in Germany and are approximately four

hundred thousand years old. They provide evidence of early human hunting techniques. Of

course, we have cave paintings. Some of the oldest known cave paintings were

found in the Shuvik Cave in France and are estimated to be around thirty to

forty thousand years old. These paintings depict various animals and are a testament to

early humans artistic abilities. The venus figurines. Venus figurines are small statuettes depicting

the female form. The oldest known example is the venus of Whole Fells,

discovered in Germany, which is estimated to be around forty thousand years old.

These figurines provide insight into early human symbolism and culture. Of course, we

can't forget about Stonehenge. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in England constructed between three

thousand and two thousand BC. The exact purpose of Stonehenge is still debated,

but it is believed to have been a ceremonial site or a burial ground.

These are just a few examples of the oldest known artifacts, but archaeological discoveries

continue to shed light on early human history, pushing back the boundaries of our

knowledge. The Old Wind tools, which are the oldest known stone tool technology

which we mentioned before, are named after the Oldavai Gorge in Tanzania where they

were first discovered. The origins and the developments of the origin industry dates back

to approximately two point six million years ago, and it's associated with early Homo

sapiens such as Homo habilists and possibly austral Pithecus gari. These tools were simple

in design and primarily made by striking flakes off a core of a stone.

The tool characteristics of the old wind tools are typically small, handheld and made

from various types of rocks, including chert, quartzite, and basalt. They

consist of sharp edged flakes and cores. They were used for cutting, scraping,

butchering, and whatever else they needed to use knives for that we would

today. The tools were primarily used for basic survival needs and shaping raw materials.

The production of the old wind tools involved a simple napping technique known as

percussion flaking. A stone core was struck with another stone, resulting in a

detachment of sharp edged flakes. These flakes were then used as tools, and

the process could be repeated on the same core to produce additional flakes. The

development and use of old wind tools indicate early hominins ability to intentionally modify their

environment and adapt to different ecological niches. They represent a significant milestone in human

evolutionary history, showing early tool use and cognitive abilities of our ancestors. Old

wind tools have been found across Africa, including sites in Ethiopia, Kenya,

Tanzania, and South Africa. They also appear in other regions, such as

the Georgian Republic in Pakistan, suggesting a broader geographic distribution. The production and

use of old Win tools likely involved social learning and transmission of knowledge within early

hominin groups. Toolmaking tool use might have been a facilitated cooperation, sharing of

resources, and division of labor among individuals. Over time, the old Win

tool industry gradually evolved into more sophisticated stone tool technologies such as the Achalean industry

characterized by the production of hand axes and bifacial tools. Further research into the

old Win tools can provide more specific information about particular sites, the type of

activities they were used for, and their significance and understanding early human behavior in

cognition. To make such small tools, it means brain to hand coordination was

advanced and these were not simply monkeys panging on rocks. They were a species

of humans that used tools to survive. Next, we're going to talk about

the Lome stone tools. They were a set of prehistoric stone tools that were

discovered on a site near Lake Tarkana and Kenya. These tools were discovered in

two thou and eleven by a team of archaeologists led by Sonia Harman and Jason

Lewis. The tools were found in sediments dating back to approximately three point three

million years ago, making them the oldest stone stone tools, predating the previously

recognized oldwin tools. These stone tools are distinct in their appearance and technological characteristics.

They are larger and more robust compared to the later oldwind tools. The

tools consist of cores and sharp edged flakes that were produced by a process called

bipolar napping. Unlike the oldewind tools, these tools were made by hammering large

stones into a core and then detaching flakes, rather than striking the core directly.

The discovery of these stone tools challenges the conventional understanding of the origins of

stone tool technology. It suggests that early hominants, potentially a species of Australopithecus,

have the cognitive ability to intentionally shape and modify rocks for specific purposes.

These tools represent a significant milestone in human evolutionary history, and they highlight a

technological diversity during this early period. This site was located in a wooded environment

near a river, suggesting that early hominants who made these tools inhabited a diverse,

resource rich landscape. These tools were likely used for various activities such as

cutting, scraping, processing plant materials, butchering animal carcasses, etc. These

stone tools indicate that stone tool making technology emerged earlier in the human evolutionary timeline

than previously thought. This suggests that early hominants had the capacity for complex manual

dexterity, problem solving skills and cultural transmission of knowledge. They differ from the

later Oldwin tools in their size, shape, and manufacturing techniques. These tools

were more primitive in nature, utilizing a different napping method. This indicates that

different stone tool technologies coexisted and evolved over time during the early stages of human

evolution. The discovery of the stone tools have sparked further research and excavation of

the region. Archaeologists continue to explore the site and nearby ars, uncover additional

artifacts, and gain a deeper understanding of early homin and behavior on toolmaking capabilities.

Studying these tools provides valuable insight into the cognitive abilities, technological advancements,

and behavior patterns of our very early ancestors. Next, we're going to talk

about the Schonengen spears, also known as the Schonengen lances. They are a

collection of ancient wooden spears discovered in the Schonengen Open Casts lignite mine in Germany.

These spears were discovered during excavation of the Schonengin mine in the nineteen nineties.

The first spear was found in nineteen ninety four, and subsequent excavations led

to the discovery of several more spears as well as other artifacts. The spears

are estimated to be around three hundred to four one hundred thousand years old,

dating back to the Middle Pleistocene, which makes these spears remarkable in the remarkable

state of preservation due to being buried in water logged soil, which prevented the

wood from decaying. These bears were carefully crafted from the wood of spruce trees.

They measure between one point eight and two point two meters approximately six to

seven feet in length, and have a sharpened point at one end. The

spheares were likely used as hunting weapons. The discovery of the Shonagin spears provide

direct evidence of early human techniques for hunting. The well preserved wooden spears suggests

that early humans have the ability to plan and execute organized hunts using spears for

thrusting and potentially as throwing weapons. The Shonagen spears have important implications for our

understanding of human evolution. The ability to manufacture and effectively used spears indicates advanced

cognitive and physical abilities, including planning, coordinating, and cooperating. Is suggests

that early humans had developed sophisticated hunting strategies and tools to secure food resources.

The speares were found in association with other artifacts such as stone tools and the

remains of large mammals, including horses and elephants. Side note, do you

know there were elephants in Germany? At one point, elephants ranged over the

Schonengen in Lower Saxony three hundred thousand years ago. In recent years, remains

of at least ten elephants have been found in these paleolithic sites, situated on

the edges of the former opencast lignite mine. Researchers conducted experiments with replicas of

Schonengin spears to understand their performance and functionality. These experiments showed that the spears

were effective or hunting large game, demonstrating their practical use for ancient hunting activities.

So I guess some modern men got together and threw some sticks around and

discovered they worked the London hammer. This is my most exciting favorite one.

The London Hammer, also known as the London Artifact, as a controversial object,

has been cited by some as evidence of an anomalous or out of place

artifact. Here is some information regarding the London Hammer. It was discovered in

June of nineteen thirty six near London, Texas, in the United States.

According to the story, it was found embedded in a rock formation known as

the Cretaceous Limestone, which dates back to around one hundred and ten to one

hundred and thirty million years ago. London Hammer is described as a metal hammer

head attached to a wooden handle. It is said to be approximately six point

five inches long and made of iron. The wooden handle appears to be partially

mineralized. The London Hammer has sparked debate and controversy among archaeologists, geologists,

and other experts. Some individuals have claimed at the artifacts evidence of an ancient

advanced civilization wartimes travel. I don't think so. However, The scientific consensus

is that the London Hammer is not an out of place artifact, but rather

a modern object that was mistakenly encased in a rock formation due to a natural

geological process. Geologists have proposed several explanations for the London Hammer's presence in this

rock formation. One possibility is that it's an example of a concretion, which

occurs with mineral precipitate and harden around a pre existing object, creating the appearance

of an embedded artifact. Another explanation is that the hammer could have been left

behind by a previous visitor or worker and subsequently encased in rock over time.

The dating challenges though the age of the London Hammer is contentious. While the

rock formation it was found in is believed to be around one hundred and ten

to one hundred and thirty million years old, the hammer itself has not been

definitively dated, and the absence of precise stating the artifact's age cannot be reliably

determined. There's been a lack of scientific study. The London Hammer has not

undergone extensive scientific analysis or peer reviewed research. Its state as an anomalous artifact

has not been substantiated by rigorous scientific investigation or documentation, meaning they haven't looked

into it yet properly. Let's move on to astrolabes. An astrolabe is historic

astronomical instrument used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies and determine their positions in

the sky. The astrolabe originated in ancient Greece around the second century BC,

was further developed by astronomers and mathematicians in the Islamic world during the Middle Ages.

It later spread to Europe and other regions. An astrolabe typically consists of

a disc or plate with engrave markings and a pivoting alidade or ruler like component.

The disc represents the celestial sphere, while the alidade serves as a sighting

mechanism. It includes various scales such as horizon, zodiac, and altitude scales

used for celestial measurements. Astrolabes were primarily used for astronomical and navigational purposes.

They allowed users to determine the altitude of celestial bodies such as the sun,

stars, and planets, and calculate time azimuths and declinations. Astrolabes were also

utilized for surveying astrology and determining prayer times. In Islamic cultures. Over time,

astrolabes underwent numerous variations and refinements. Different designs and features emerged, including

plantospheric astrolabes, spherical astrolabes, and universal astrolabes. Each variant had its own

set of scales and capabilities, tailored for specific astronomical calculations. Astrolabes were essential

tools for astronomers, navigators, and scholars in ancient and medieval times. They

helped advance understanding of celestial movements, improved navigation and map making techniques, and

contributed to astronomical observations and calculations. Astrolabes also played a role in the transmission

of scientific knowledge between culture and civilizations. With the advent of more advanced instruments

such as sexton and the telescope, the use of astrolabes gradually declined. By

the seventeenth century, astrolabes were mostly replaced by more precise and specialized instruments.

However, they still hold historical and educational value, and some individuals collect and

study astrolabes as artifacts and tools of scientific heritage. The next one is hard

for me to pronounce, so bear with me, people. The antikathera mechanism

It's an ancient Greek mechanical device that is considered one of the most significant archaeological

discoveries in the field of ancient technology. This mechanism was discovered in nineteen o

one by Greek sponge divers off the coast of the Greek islands of Anti Cathera.

It was found among the wreckage of a Roman cargo ship sank around sixty

BC. You've probably seated on TV or in some article on the news where

it's that metal object they found that looks like a mechanical device. Kind of

baffled scientist over the years. Anyway, This mechanism is an intricate bronze device

composed of a series of gears and dials. It is estimated to have been

originally housed in a wooden case and had a front and back panel with inscriptions

and markings. The mechanism is about the size of a shoe box. Your

careful analysis and reconstruction researchers have determined that this mechanism was a sophisticated fomical calculator.

It was designed to predict and display celestial events, including the positions of

the Sun, moon, planet, and eclipses. It also likely served as

a calendar and possibly had additional features related to ancient Greek astrology. The mechanism

utilized the complex system of gears and wheels to model the movement of celestial bodies.

Based on ancient Greek astronomical theories, it could be adjusted and manipulated to

account for the irregularities and the motions of the planets and predict their positions with

impressive accuracy. This mechanism is a testament to the advanced knowledge and technical skills

possessed by ancient Greek engineers and astronomers. Its level of complexity was previously thought

to be beyond what was achievable during the time period. It demonstrates the Greek's

understanding of celestial mechanics and a desire to create mechanical models to study and explain

the cosmos. The deciphering of the inscriptions and the internal structure of the mechanism

has been a challenging tasks. Dollers and scientists have employed various techniques including X

ray imaging, CT scanning, and computer modeling. It's to reveal the mechanism's

inner workings and recreate its original appearance. The mechanism provides valuable insights into the

technological achievements and scientific knowledge of ancient Greece. It serves as a reminder of

the level of sophistication reached by an ancient civilization and the potential existence for other

lost technological wonders. This mechanism remains an object of fascination and study, shedding

light on the intersecting of ancient astronomy, mechanics, and craftsmanship. It stands

as a remarkable artifact challenges our understanding of the technological capabilities of the ancient world.

Let's move on to the Viking sunstone. Next week. By the way,

we're going to be talking about Viking artifacts, but I wanted to put

this one in here because it kind of fits. So. The Viking sunstone,

also known as the sun humpass or solar stein an Old Norse, is

a historical navigational tool associated with seafaring Vikings. Historical context, the Viking sunstone

was used during the Viking Age, which spanned from the late eighth century to

the eleventh century a d. The Vikings were skilled seafares who navigated the vast

expanses of the North Atlantic, including the often overcast and foggy regions of the

Scandinavian waters. The function and the purpose of the Viking sunstone was believed to

aid navigation by determining the position of the Sun even when it was obscured by

the clouds, fog, or during twilight hours. It allowed Viking sailors to

estimate the Sun's position in the sky would help them, which helped them establish

their heading and navigate their ships. Basically, they would hold this crystal up

towards the sky and look through it, and they would actually be able to

see the sun no matter how overcast it was. They could see where it

was coming from, so it helped them navigate better. The sunstone is sterized

to be a crystal or a mineral with certain optical properties that enabled Viking navigators

to detect the polarization of light. By holding the sunstone up to the sky

and rotating it, the Vikings could identify the position of the Sun and use

it as a reference for navigation, speculation, and historical reference. Let's see.

The exact nature of the sunstone is not definitively known, since no archeological

examples have been found. References to the sunstone, however, can be found

in ancient North sagas and legends, including the Saga of King Olof and the

Saga of Saint Olof. These references describe the use of the sunstone or Sun's

path for navigation. In recent years, there have been scientific interests in identifying

the potential mineral or crystals that could have served as the Viking sunstone. Calcite

and Iceland spar a transparent form of calcite, have been suggested as possible candidates

due to their birefringent properties that can detect polarized light. Controversy and interpretation let's

see the existence of the effectiveness of the sunstone is a practical navigational tool have

been subject to debate. Some scholars argue that biking navigators possess sufficient celestial knowledge

and navigational skills to determine the Sun's position without relying on a specialized tool like

the sunstone. Others believe that the sunstone could have been a helpful aid in

certain conditions. I for one, think we shouldn't be so close minded,

and they probably did have something like this anyway. This has been another episode

of the Strange History podcast. I hope you enjoyed it. I love history

and this was a fun one to make. Thanks Spreeker for being the easiest

podcast platform to use and it's free. Check it out. You can even

make money using it. Thank you Darkcast Network. And thank you to one

of my favorite humans on the Earth, Dead to Me Productions, for making

me sound like I know what I'm doing every single week He's out. Yay.

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