Early humans began using sharp stone tools 2.6 million years ago. The innovation of adding handles, referred to as 'hafted' tools, occurred around 500,000 years ago. This change significantly enhanced the tools' energy efficiency during chopping and smashing. Handles provided greater leverage and precision, creating a notable shift in tool function. Researchers conducted a study with 40 volunteers who tested tools both with and without handles to compare their effectiveness. The findings suggest that hafting improved the biomechanical properties of tools and user performance.
Adding handles to stone tools made them more energy-efficient when chopping, increasing the 'force and precision' that could be applied to bash and scrape.
The transition from hand-held to hafted tool technology marked a significant shift in conceptualising the construction and function of tools.
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