cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/40535172

“What's really interesting about humans and their ancestors is we're a technologically dependent species,” Finestone said. “We rely on tools. We're obligate tool users. We don't do it opportunistically or occasionally the way that a lot of other animals use tools. It's really become ingrained in our way of life, in our survival, and our foraging strategies across all people and all cultures.”

The study of early hominins (our cousins) and the many branches in the path of our evolution is easily my favorite area of science. This topic is evergreen, with new discoveries every year that frequently upend our understanding of the landscape. Dinos and the like are fave number two.