Before hominins intentionally chipped stone to make tools, they likely used sharp rocks already shaped by natural forces.

But how did the production of stone tools -- called 'knapping' -- start? Researchers have proposed a new hypothesis for the origin of stone technology in human evolution. Sharp stone technology ...

But how did the production of stone tools – called ‘knapping’ – start? Three Cleveland Museum of Natural History researchers have proposed a new hypothesis for the origin of stone technology in human ...

The ability to recognize bone as a viable tool material, apply established stone-working techniques, and produce standardized tools all point to an ... and adapting knapping skills from stone ...

Two of the stone tools analyzed were made using the Levallois knapping technique of the Levant Stone Age, in which a flint stone core is essentially flaked away to make a point that can cut and hack.

But how did the production of stone tools—called "knapping"—start? "I don't think it was a 'Eureka!' moment whereby hominins first made a sharp stone flake by intention or by accident and then ...