Archaeologists in Wyoming have uncovered a remarkable set of bone needles, estimated to be 13,000 years old, at a Paleolithic site near Douglas, Interesting Engineering reports.
These artifacts, complete with thread holes, represent some of the earliest evidence of tailored clothing production in North America, offering new insights into the ingenuity of early humans.
The excavation at the LaPrele Mammoth site, led by archaeologist Spencer Pelton and his team, initially focused on the remains of a Columbian mammoth. However, the discovery of 32 bone needles provided unexpected evidence that early inhabitants used animal remains for more than food. These finely crafted tools demonstrate that prehistoric humans were adept at making garments, a crucial adaptation for surviving in harsh climates.
The needles, complete with eye holes for threading, suggest that early humans were not merely draping skins over their bodies but were stitching together fitted clothing to retain heat more effectively.
Between 2015 and 2022, researchers from Wyoming State University examined the needles using advanced techniques like zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS) and Micro-CT scanning. These analyses allowed the team to identify the types of animals whose bones were used, including red foxes, bobcats, lynx, mountain lions, American cheetahs, and rabbits.
The study, which marks the first identification of species used to craft such tools, also revealed the presence of the oldest known bead found in the Americas, further underscoring the site’s cultural significance.
The researchers argue that these bone needles represent a significant technological innovation that helped early humans migrate to and survive in colder climates. Unlike loosely draped clothing, tailored garments with stitched seams could better trap body heat, enabling humans to disperse into northern latitudes.
“Tailored clothing production was crucial for modern human dispersal,” the researchers stated in their report.
They noted that the presence of fur-bearing animal bones at the site indicates these animals were hunted not just for food but for their valuable pelts.
Bone needles have been found in Eurasian sites dating back 40,000 years and in North American Paleoindian sites from 12,000 to 13,000 years ago. However, the Wyoming findings are unique because they provide the first detailed analysis of the materials used to make these tools.
The researchers emphasized that animal bones at archaeological sites should not always be interpreted as dietary remnants. Instead, they may signify a broader range of uses, including clothing production.
