World's oldest fish hooks found in Japanese island cave

[webfact]

World's oldest fish hooks found in Japanese island cave

 

OKINAWA: -- Archaeologists have found the world's oldest fish hooks in a cave on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

 

The pair, dating from about 23,000 years ago, were carved from sea snail shells and found with other ancient relics, according to a paper.

 

It is thought humans inhabited the island from at least 30,000 years ago, surviving despite scarce resources.

 

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37402183

 

-- © Copyright BBC 2016-09-19

[soalbundy]

From the photo it looks like my missus has been cutting her toe nails there

[djlest]

how to we know they are fishooks? could be anything

[coma]

Given the good Japanese people's insatiable appetite for seafood, especially fish. It therefore doesn't surprise that the oldest fish hooks in the world were found there. 

[Grubster]

My bet would be ear rings, they were found with beads, maybe the beads were for slip bobbers huh.

[TEFLKrabi]

Interesting because 23,000 years ago Okinawa wasn't an island, as it is now. It was actually located some way from the sea. Guess they were for freshwater fishing. 

[maoro2013]

How does anybody know they are the oldest fish hooks. Crazy talk.

 

Maybe the oldest fish hooks discovered so far.