Ancient Human Species in East Asia Crafted Tools Alongside Neanderthals in Europe

A groundbreaking discovery of Quina scrapers in China is reshaping our understanding of the Middle Paleolithic, a period from 250,000 to 30,000 years ago. These sophisticated stone tools, long associated with Neanderthals in Europe, reveal that ancient East Asians possessed advanced technologies, challenging the perception that they remained stagnant with basic tools. Excavated from the Longtan site—dated between 50,000 to 60,000 years old—these scrapers were crucial for efficiently processing meat, wood, and skins, showcasing adaptability to environmental changes. The research team, led by experts from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, emphasizes that this find, alongside the earlier Levallois tools in China, illustrates a rich technological tradition in East Asia. As we dive deeper into this archaeological puzzle, the question remains: were these innovations developed independently by local populations, or were they influenced by European settlers? Future excavations may reveal evidence to answer this mystery, shedding light on the ingenuity of ancient humanity.