They place the nut on a flattened rock (known as an anvil) and strike it with a second stone (known as a hammer). Evidence from Côte d'Ivoire in Africa shows that chimpanzees have been using this technique for more than 4,000 years. This suggests that stone tool use might be a trait that both humans and chimpanzees inherited from their last common ancestor. Although, it's also possible that both species learned this skill independently of each other.
This story is from the November 2024 edition of BBC Science Focus.
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This story is from the November 2024 edition of BBC Science Focus.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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