Early humans on the Greek island of Lesvos used fossil-rich stone to make handaxes and other cutting tools, favoring rock containing ancient plant and animal remains, according to a study of prehistoric artifacts. The findings show that toolmakers at Rodafnidia, near the Kalloni Gulf, repeatedly chose this material despite having other kinds of stone nearby.
In a study published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology, Elli Karkazi, Nena Galanidou and Andreas Magganas examined 1,413 artifacts from Rodafnidia and nearby Glyfias and Bi Tsesme. The collection included 980 excavated objects and 433 surface finds gathered from 2010 to 2021.
They found that 70.5% of the artifacts were made from a fossil-bearing form of chert known as siliceous sinter. The rock was used for handaxes, cleavers, smaller tools, and large stone cores, making it the dominant material across most parts of the site.
The sinter formed when silica-rich water deposited minerals in an environment associated with ancient thermal activity.
Why early humans on a Greek island favored fossil-rich stone for handaxes
Under a microscope, researchers found preserved traces of plant tissue, algae, and tiny shelled organisms. Fossil grains made up an estimated 40% to 60% of the rock.
Despite its varied appearance, the material contains fine quartz crystals that help it break in a controlled way. The researchers say its suitability for shaping tools probably helped explain why it was favored over more common volcanic rock.
A geological survey identified a likely original source of the sinter about 2.4 kilometers southwest of Rodafnidia. Loose pieces were also found in deposits at the site, suggesting toolmakers may have gathered much of the material without traveling far. Sources of the other stone types were generally within 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles).
The remaining artifacts were made from hydrothermal silica rock, another type of chert, volcanic tuff, and basalt. These accounted for 14.5%, 7.1%, 7.3% and 0.6% of the collection, respectively. Researchers used microscopes and chemical tests to identify the rocks and compare them with local deposits.
Rodafnidia’s stone tools show links to Africa and the Levant
The tools belong to the Acheulean tradition, known for large handaxes and cleavers. Their manufacturing methods resemble those found at sites in Africa and the Levant, but Rodafnidia stands out for its preference for fine-grained, fossil-bearing stone. The authors said similar use of siliceous sinter was “not reported in the literature.”
Earlier dating of excavated deposits produced minimum ages of roughly 164,000 to 272,000 years, with a possible older age of about 476,000 years. Researchers recorded 112 handaxes and 49 cleavers, a substantial number of large cutting tools.
Handaxes and cleavers retained similar shapes across different rock types, suggesting the toolmakers could adjust their methods to the materials available.
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