Culture

Archeologists discover ancient stone tools made by early humans in Kenya

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

Archeologists have discovered 330 stone tools dating about 2.9 million years old at an excavation site in Nyayanga, in the Homa Peninsula of Lake Victoria in southwestern Kenya, said to be used to butcher animals, including hippos, and pound plant material for food.

The mysterious discovery has thrown scientists into a quagmire as the artefacts represent the oldest-known examples of a type of stone technology in the eastern African country.

Head of the discovery team, Prof Rick Potts, of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, while announcing the find on Friday, said the items known as the “Oldowan Toolkit”, were revolutionary items that enabled Kenyan ancestors to process diverse foods and expand their menu.

“Three tool types were found: hammerstones and stone cores to pound plants, bone and meat, and sharp-edged flakes to cut meat,” Potts said.

“With these tools, you can crush better than an elephant’s molar can and cut better than a lion’s canine can.”

“Oldowan technology was like suddenly evolving a brand new set of teeth outside your body, and it opened up a new variety of foods on the African savannah to our ancestors.”

“The association of these Nyayanga tools with Paranthropus may reopen the case as to who made the oldest Oldowan tools.”

“Perhaps not only Homo, but other kinds of hominins were processing food with Oldowan technology,” he added.

According to the scientist, the latest find of the Oldowan tools show that they were a significant upgrade in sophistication compared to earlier crude stone tools dated to as early as 3.3 million years old, before the emergence of the Homo genus.

Related Topics:Antoquo Featured Kenya Stones

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Culture

Davido to donate N300m to orphanages to mark 32nd birthday

Published

11 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigerian Afro-Pop superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced plans to donate the sum of N300 million to different orphanages across the country and anti-drug advocacy initiatives to mark his 32nd birthday later this year.

The Grammy-nominated singer who revealed the plan in a post he shared on his official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Monday, said he would donate the whopping sum to orphanages and charities that help young people to avoid drug addiction.

The “Unavailable” crooner added that the donation is intention to support vulnerable children at the orphanage and combat drug abuse among youths, and the funds will be split between orphanages and organizations working to prevent drug addiction.

He also assured his fans that details of the donation, including beneficiary organizations and distribution plans, will be made public soon.

“Once again on my birthday this year, we donating to orphanages and a charity that helps young people stay away from drug abuse & addiction. This year is N300m. Details to follow soon,” the multiple award-winning singer wrote.

Culture

Chidimma Adetshina makes history as she emerges first runner-up for Miss Universe 2024

Published

2 days ago

November 17, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Chidimma Adetshina, Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, made history as she finished as the first runner-up at the pageant.

The reigning Miss Universe Nigeria finished on the podium of the event held at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Sunday morning after an electrifying final face-off between Nigeria and Denmark, as the two women looked poised to claim the crown.

Adetshina, who competed against over 120 contestants from around the world, delivered Nigeria’s best-ever performance in the prestigious competition.

The competition, which was described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

A post by the pageant organizers on Instagram said:

“The final two! Nigeria and Denmark, two incredible women, one unforgettable moment.

“Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, ultimately won the crown taking over from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.”

The top five were rounded out by Miss Mexico, María Fernanda Beltrán Figueroa, in third place, along with contestants from Thailand and Venezuela.

This year’s pageant was celebrated as one of the most inclusive in Miss Universe history, featuring first-time entries from Iran and Somalia and an expanded lineup of 30 semifinalists, showcasing greater diversity and global representation.

Chidimma’s path to the Miss Universe Nigeria was controversial at best as she had previously entered the Miss South Africa pageant but withdrew following criticism of her nationality and allegations from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs concerning her mother’s documents.

She was later invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria and emerged as the winner of the beauty pageant ahead of 24 other contestants.