News Anthropology

Chimpanzee Stone Age: Finds in Africa rock prehistory of tools

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Working along a riverbank in a West African rain forest, researchers have uncovered remnants from a chimpanzee stone age that started at least 4,300 years ago. The finds constitute the only evidence yet detected of prehistoric ape behavior.

NUTCRACKER SWEET. At a site in West Africa, a stone used by chimps to hammer open nuts around 4,300 years ago lies next to an excavator’s trowel.