Petrified Wood as Hand Weapons for the Early Egyptians
Abstract
Human life began in eastern and northern Africa, adapting to the unstable environmental conditions by the end of the Miocene epoch, approximately six million years ago. Amid the fluctuating cycles of aridity and wet climates during this formative period, evidence of early human ancestors has been identified in various parts of Africa - though none had been discovered in Egypt until now. By chance, during an independent investigation in Lower Egypt, the author identified several artifacts that may provide preliminary clues to an early hominin presence in the region. These artifacts - petrified wood dating to the same period as human origins - may offer a subtle indication of activity that once occurred in this ancient landscape. According to their shape and form, they might have been used as hand weapons for defensive reasons. Evidence suggesting the artifacts were shaped prior to petrification is visible in three delicate, parallel incisions on one face of a presumed spearhead. These marks could only have been made when the material was still soft wood, prior to its transformation into stone in the distant past. This research focuses on nine specimens from these intriguing findings. Their dimensions and the distinct fingerprint-like impressions on each piece—perfectly suited to fit a human palm—sparked our curiosity. These characteristics suggest a logical conclusion: early humans may have inhabited this region at the dawn of their existence, around six million years ago. Adding to the significance of this discovery, the site aligns with the location of Merimda Bani Salama, a known ancient civilization west of the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt. However, this ancient settlement was not previously dated to such an early point in history as these findings imply. This paper calls for further investigation in the area to uncover additional evidence of early hominins. Such efforts could help bridge a significant gap in the history of Egypt, shedding light on the past six million years and enriching our understanding of human origins.
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Article Details
Accepted 2026-07-08
Published 2026-07-31