Are humans an evolved version of chimpanzees? Study reveals chimps use stone tools like ancient humans

Understanding chimps’ tool use provides context for interpreting hominin behaviour. (Image: Canva)

Could chimpanzees offer a glimpse into humanity's distant past? A new study suggests their tool selection mirrors behaviours of ancient human ancestors. This discovery sparks intrigue about shared evolutionary roots in tool-making.

Chimps’ Thoughtful Choice of Tools
Published in the Journal of Human Evolution, the research explored how chimps pick stones for nut-cracking tasks. Scientists provided chimps with premeasured stones of varying properties. These included hardness, weight, elasticity, and shape.

The chimps selected harder stones as hammers and softer, stable ones as anvils. This indicates an understanding of which tools work best. Dr. Lydia Luncz, a behavioural scientist, said the choices reflect mechanical efficiency.

Parallels with Early Human Ancestors
The findings align with evidence from Oldowan hominins, who crafted tools over 2.5 million years ago. Early humans also prioritised function over appearance when selecting stones. Researchers see similarities in the deliberate approaches of both species.

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Young chimpanzees were observed mimicking older individuals' tool choices. This suggests knowledge transfer across generations, similar to early human societies. Passing down survival skills likely shaped the development of technology.

Understanding chimps’ tool use provides context for interpreting hominin behaviour. Researchers believe these insights could reveal how early humans developed tools. The study underscores how observing modern species can unlock clues about our past.