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Letter: Let's also hear it for the Bamboo Age (2)

Published 27 November 2024

From Martin Murray, Telford, Shropshire, UK

As a hobby willow-basket maker, I have often observed that no tools are required. A sharp knife is useful, but not necessary. Likewise, textiles and grass-fibre baskets require no tools to create.

The notion that early humans or prehumans waited for stone tools to be invented before developing other technologies is absurd. Our ancestors were smart enough to weave baskets, shelters, blankets and so on from plant fibres and sew hides with plant fibres with no durable tools required. On a cold night, a crude blanket is better than none.

Issue no. 3519 published 30 November 2024

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