Question

The oldest stone tools (approximately 3000 in number) were discovered at-

• A. Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania
• B. Peninj River, Tanzania
• C. Gona, Ethiopia
• D. Torralba and Ambrona, Spain

Hint:

For questions about the "oldest" artifacts, think of the East African Rift Valley, particularly Ethiopia and Kenya. Gona (Ethiopia) is the classic answer for the oldest Oldowan tools, while Lomekwi (Kenya) is the more recent discovery of an even older, pre-Oldowan industry.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the location of the discovery of the oldest known stone tools, noting a large quantity was found. This refers to a major discovery in paleoanthropology concerning the dawn of stone tool technology (the Oldowan industry).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania: A hugely important site for paleoanthropology, where the Leakeys discovered many hominin fossils and stone tools. The tools found here defined the Oldowan industry, but subsequent discoveries elsewhere proved to be older.
- Peninj River, Tanzania: Known for Acheulean tools, which are more advanced and younger than the earliest Oldowan tools.
- Gona, Ethiopia: Archaeological sites in the Gona river system of the Afar region, Ethiopia, have yielded a large assemblage of stone tools (over 3000 artifacts) securely dated to 2.6 million years ago. For a long time, these were recognized as the world's oldest manufactured stone tools and provided the earliest solid evidence of the Oldowan industry.
- Torralba and Ambrona, Spain: These are European sites associated with later Acheulean technology and are much younger (around 400,000 years old).
- Note on recent findings: Even older tools, dated to 3.3 million years ago (the Lomekwian industry), have been found at Lomekwi 3 in Kenya. However, Gona remains the classic and most widely cited site for the oldest Oldowan tools and fits the description of a large assemblage. Given the options, Gona is the intended correct answer.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Gona, Ethiopia, is the site famous for the discovery of the oldest large assemblage of Oldowan stone tools, dated to about 2.6 million years ago.