Friday Science Blogging--Early Man and Heat Treated Tools

Archaeology is one of those sciences that continues to push technology in advancing the science. Recently, some archaeologists and geologists have determined that early man used heat-treated tools much earlier than originally thought. Heat treating makes some stones better tools in that they will keep a sharp edge longer and they will become harder. The use of heat treating is considered a significant advance in the development of human technology. This news came out around the same time as the information about tool use by crows. It seems that crows have been observed figuring out complex problems to gain access to resources. To the Viscount that these two stories, are related in interesting ways. First, it is clear that all animals have the potential to be problem solvers. Second, it is clear that many animals use tools. We always seemed shocked when this happens, but there is more and more evidence that higher-order animals have the ability to use tools. Finally, it is clear that crows and humans have some brain functions that are similar. There is no doubt that humans have much more ability to problem solve and that humans have much more complex brains than crows. But the essence of sameness is fascinating.