×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Monday
19
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 7°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Culture

Scientists think 1.4 million-year-old stone spheroids were…deliberately crafted?

They speculate that perhaps early human ancestors were driven by a desire to create symmetry and enjoy the act of craftsmanship, though the exact function remains unclear

Newsroom September 14 03:23

In the 1960s, when scientists conducted excavations at a site dating back 1.4 million years in northern Israel, they encountered a baffling discovery – they uncovered nearly 600 stone ‘balls’ amongst other more conventional stone tools. Now, scientists have analyzed 150 of these baseball sized stones and concluded that our ancestors intentionally crafted these spheroids! They speculate that perhaps early human ancestors were driven by a desire to create symmetry and enjoy the act of craftsmanship, though the exact function remains unclear.

The findings of this study, which were published today in the latest edition of the journal Royal Society Open Science , hold the potential to provide valuable insights into the cognitive processes of ancient artisans. This is as per Julia Cabanès, a scientist at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris who was not part of the research team, but spoke to Science.

See Also:

>Related articles

Train Collision in Spain: 39 dead, “extremely strange accident,” says Transport Minister

Princess Irene: Who the eccentric revolutionary of the former royal family was – Today, the final farewell (videos-photos)

Fire rages at a plastics factory in Menidi: 112 alert sounded in the area (video-photos)

Italy: Dozens of boats with illegal immigrants in Lampedusa – 7,000 arrived in 24 hours, Meloni asks for help (videos)

Continue here: Ancient Origins

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#archaeology#culture#mystery#video#world
> More Culture

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Train Collision in Spain: 39 dead, “extremely strange accident,” says Transport Minister

January 19, 2026

Princess Irene: Funeral at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral (Live feed-photos)

January 19, 2026

35 MPs, alone, searching for a party: Which independents are “flirting” with President Maria and Tsipras

January 19, 2026

6+1 measures to clean up traffic chaos in Attica

January 19, 2026

Princess Irene: Who the eccentric revolutionary of the former royal family was – Today, the final farewell (videos-photos)

January 19, 2026

The 29 Best Restaurants Defining Thessaloniki’s Food Scene in 2026

January 19, 2026

Today’s meeting between Mitsotakis and the “farmer leaders” seen as a step toward de-escalation: Targeted improvements with no cost on the table

January 19, 2026

Fire rages at a plastics factory in Menidi: 112 alert sounded in the area (video-photos)

January 19, 2026
All News

> Economy

Greek exports broke records with a record 37 billion euros

With one of the strongest performances in the last decade for Greek non-oil exports, while a new upward cycle is expected in 2026

January 18, 2026

Where affordable housing falls short in Greece: IOBE proposes a cap on rent increases

January 17, 2026

Greek firms secure key roles in Libya’s reconstruction

January 16, 2026

Latsis Group: This is the new project of Aura Residential’s 219 apartments in Elliniko

January 16, 2026

Industry: Energy deadlock after Commission’s “no” to Italian pricing model

January 16, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα