Tools were made from bones as well as stones in East Africa 1.5 million years ago, new research reveals. The finding adds to growing evidence of technological sophistication among early humans that far exceeds what has traditionally been acknowledged.

A cache of 1.5 million-year-old bone tools uncovered in Tanzania suggest ancient human ancestors were capable of critical thinking and advanced craftsmanship.

Early humans were regularly using animal bones to make cutting tools 1.5 million years ago. A newly discovered cache of 27 carved and sharpened bones from elephants and hippos found in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge site pushes back the date for ancient bone tool use by around 1 million years.