{"id":309879,"date":"2025-06-25T22:36:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T20:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classicult.it\/?p=309879"},"modified":"2025-06-29T15:02:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T13:02:03","slug":"a-40000-years-old-boomerang-made-from-mammoth-tusk-from-the-oblazowa-cave-poland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.classicult.it\/en\/a-40000-years-old-boomerang-made-from-mammoth-tusk-from-the-oblazowa-cave-poland\/","title":{"rendered":"A 40,000 years old “Boomerang” made from mammoth tusk from the Ob\u0142azowa Cave, Poland"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Boomerang” made from mammoth tusk is likely one of the oldest known in Europe at around 40,000 years old, per analysis of this artifact from the Ob\u0142azowa Cave, a Polish Upper Paleolithic cave<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"The
The Boomerang made of mammoth tusk of Ob\u0142azowa Cave from layer VIII. Photo Credits: Talamo et al., 2025, PLOS One, CC-BY 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abstract from the paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Beginning with the Early Aurignacian,\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0demonstrated an enhanced symbolic capacity, expanding artistic expressions from body decoration to portable art and aesthetically refined tools. These artistic endeavors, often intertwined with utilitarian purposes, have sparked debates regarding their symbolic versus functional roles. Among these remarkable artifacts is a complete mammoth tusk boomerang from Layer VIII of Ob\u0142azowa Cave, Poland, found in association with a human phalanx. Determining its precise chronology and cultural context is critical for understanding the emergence and variability of symbolic behaviors among early\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0groups in Europe. This study refines the chronology of the Early Upper Paleolithic occupation of Layer VIII at Ob\u0142azowa Cave through radiocarbon dating of several bones and the human fossil found near the ivory boomerang. Bayesian modeling places the site\u2019s main occupation phase between 42,810\u221238,550 cal BP (95,4% probability). The mammoth-ivory boomerang, calibrated to 42,290\u221239,280 cal BP with a 95.4% probability, emerges as one of Europe\u2019s oldest known examples of this complex tool, exemplifying technological and symbolic innovation at Ob\u0142azowa Cave. This multi-disciplinary research underscores the importance of integrating advanced methodologies to explore cultural practices during the Upper Paleolithic<\/a>. The findings not only deepen our understanding of\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u2019 adaptive strategies but also highlight the nuanced interplay of technology, symbolism, and environmental interaction during the earliest phases of human dispersals in Central Europe.<\/p>\n

\"A.
A. Geographical location of Ob\u0142azowa Cave in the Podhale basin, western Carpathians (base map from GeoMappApp: www.geomapapp.org); B. View of the western entrance and main entrance of Ob\u0142azowa Cave (photos by PV-N and AN); C. Sedimentary section of Ob\u0142azowa Cave and distribution of the archaeological horizons, A \u2013 Aurignacian, S \u2013 Szeletian, M \u2013 Mousterian (stratigraphic section redrawn by PV-N). Photo Credits: Talamo et al., 2025, PLOS One, CC-BY 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n