伦敦大学考古学院的研究团队在英国西萨塞克斯郡的Boxgrove遗址发现了一件距今约50万年的象骨锤，这是欧洲已知最古老的象骨工具。1这件工具长约11厘米，宽约6厘米，厚约3厘米，表面留有缺口、撞击痕迹和燧石碎片残留。1
研究表明，早期人类使用这件象骨工具作为"锐化器"，用于修复和锐化石制手斧。1该工具的发现反映了古人类具备高度的工艺技能和复杂思维能力。1伦敦大学考古学院的首席研究员Simon Parfitt表示："这一非凡发现展现了我们祖先的聪慧与足智多谋。他们不仅对周围本地材料有深入了解，而且还掌握了精心制作精细石器工具的高超技术。"1
这件工具的创造者可能是早期尼安德特人或海德堡人。1此前，欧洲已知最古老的象骨工具约距今45万年。1相关研究成果已发表在《Science Advances》期刊上。1
Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London have identified a remarkable elephant bone hammer discovered at the Boxgrove site near Chichester in West Sussex, England, dating back approximately 500,000 years.1 The artifact, measuring roughly 11 centimeters long, 6 centimeters wide, and 3 centimeters thick, represents the oldest known elephant bone tool found in Europe.1 Analysis of the tool's surface reveals distinctive notches, impact marks, and embedded flint fragments, indicating it was used as a "sharpener" to repair and hone stone hand axes.1
The discovery demonstrates the sophisticated cognitive abilities and technical mastery of early human ancestors, likely Neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis, who inhabited the region during the Middle Pleistocene.1 Lead researcher Simon Parfitt emphasized the significance of the find, stating: "This remarkable discovery showcases the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our ancient ancestors. They possessed, not only a deep knowledge of the local materials around them, but also a sophisticated understanding of how to craft highly refined stone tools."1 The research, published in Science Advances in 2026, extends the documented evidence of bone tool use in Europe, surpassing the previous record of approximately 450,000-year-old elephant bone implements.1
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