Researchers have uncovered stone tools on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island that are estimated to be over a million years old. CNN
Archeologists in Indonesia have found sharp stone tools on Sulawesi that could change what we know about early human migration. These tools date back between 1.04 and 1.48 million years. This is the oldest sign of human ancestors living on the island.
Sulawesi sits in Wallacea, a group of islands between Asia and Australia. Nearby Flores is already famous for the discovery of Homo floresiensis, small-bodied ancient humans often called “hobbits.” The new discovery hints that Sulawesi might have been home to early humans before, or around the same time as, Flores.
Possible Link Between Islands
The study’s authors believe Sulawesi could have been a stepping stone for the hobbits. “The discovery of this very old stone technology on Sulawesi adds further weight to this possibility,” said Dr. Adam Brumm, a professor of archeology in Australia.
The tools suggest early human ancestors crossed seas to reach Wallacea. How they did this remains a mystery. Researchers doubt they had boats, so accidental crossings on floating vegetation are one possible explanation.
Unearthing the Finds
Excavations began in 2019 after a stone artifact was found sticking out of sandstone at the Calio site. Archeologists discovered the site was once near a river where toolmakers hunted and worked. They found animal fossils, including a jawbone from a giant-tusked extinct pig.
By 2022, the team had uncovered seven stone tools. The pieces were made from river pebbles, shaped into sharp edges for cutting or scraping. They were simple but required skill to create.
The Mystery Toolmakers
No human fossils have been found at the site, so the makers’ identity is still unknown. The tools could belong to Homo erectus, an early human species, or a smaller related group similar to the hobbits.
Finding human remains is difficult in Sulawesi’s tropical climate, where DNA breaks down quickly. Even so, researchers previously found 7,000-year-old bones from a teenage hunter-gatherer on the island, revealing a previously unknown human group.
The Challenge of Ocean Crossings
Crossing from mainland Asia to Sulawesi would have been dangerous. Strong currents, predators, and wide stretches of water made swimming impossible. Experts say the presence of humans on these islands proves they managed sea crossings long before modern humans appeared.
But arriving didn’t always mean survival. Some early human groups may have died out, leaving only their tools behind. Today, Homo sapiens are the only surviving human species.
What’s Next for Researchers
Scientists will keep digging at Calio and other sites to find fossils. These could reveal if Homo erectus reached Sulawesi and how they evolved there. Sulawesi’s size and varied landscapes mean it might hold unique evolutionary stories.
“I really hope hominin fossils are eventually found,” said Brumm. “There’s a fascinating story waiting to be told on that island.”
