“Link to the Past: Evidence of Humanity's Oldest Ropes Unearthed”
Yeah, I know, rope is mundane stuff in our world. But, our ancestors needed rope to move those big rocks to build Stonehenge. And, sailing boats have been dependant upon rope from the time the first one was launched. So, being able to make rope, at least, as far back as 42,000 years ago was a really big deal.
From the article, “At first glance, the discovery in Germany's Hohle Fels cave looked like it could be the mock-up for a 42,000-year-old set of brass knuckles: four carefully carved small holes placed close together on an 8-inch-long (20 centimeters) strip of mammoth ivory.”
And, “Initially, the scientists interpreted the find as artwork, but archaeologists had never found anything that remotely resembled the ivory piece, the researchers said. Instead, the rifling, etched in the bone with incredible care, suggested a practical use: fiber forced through the holes could produce four strands of rope with a right-hand twist that could in turn be fashioned into a larger rope, the study said. Using a bronze casting of the artifact (it is illegal to take such objects out of Germany), Rots and her Liege staff made 10 feet (3 m) of rope in 15 minutes.”
Here’s the link, for anyone who might be interested:
https://www.livescience.com/59756-oldest-ropes-tools-unearthed.html
