Archaeologists unearthed a fire-drilling toolset dating back about 7,000 years at an archaeological site in Jiangsu Province in eastern China. The discovery marks the earliest known physical evidence of fire-making technology discovered in China to date.
The excavation is led by Gan Huiyuan, a researcher at the Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. The newly unearthed toolset, found at the Caoyangang site, consists of a drill stick and a fireboard. "This toolset is not only the longest found at the site but also the most well-preserved fire-drilling equipment discovered to date," said Gan, according to News China.
The drill stick measures over 60 centimeters in length, while the fireboard is over 30 centimeters long. The fireboard is a brown artifact with over 10 deep black circular indentations on its surface, showing clear signs of scorching. A circular groove was found on one end of the fireboard, likely used for tying a rope. "The circular groove suggests the fireboard was designed for easy carrying or hanging," the archaeological team noted.
Gan added that since the excavation began, multiple fire-drilling tools have been discovered at the site. The Caoyangang site spans over 80,000 square meters and has yielded more than 3,000 items beyond the fire-making tools. These include pottery, bone tools, wooden objects, and animal remains.
The animal remains discovered include deer, pigs, cattle, dogs, birds. The diversity of these findings provides valuable insights into the fauna of the region and the activities of the ancient inhabitants. The presence of pottery and bone tools suggests the development of crafting techniques during that period.
"These findings show a vivid picture of the daily lives and aesthetic sensibilities of the ancient people who once thrived in the region," the archaeologists said.
The fireboard's design, featuring the circular groove for tying a rope, indicates that portability was a consideration for its users.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.