Ancient Stone Tools Unearthed in Moroccan Cave Reveal Neolithic Craftsmanship

A stone tool called a "notch" was discovered in the Hattab 2 quarry, Abdeljalil Bouzouggar, archaeologist and director of the National Institute of Archeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP), explained to Hespress. Preliminary data indicate that this tool is from the Neolithic era and was very likely used to work on tree branches, trim and shape them into spears. This is a technique known since the Stone Age.

According to the archaeologist, the presence of the notches in the "Hattab" cave shows that man of this late prehistory was involved in hunting and gathering activities, "despite his domestication of animals and his mastery of agriculture." He also reported that the oldest traces of agriculture in Morocco were detected at the site of the "Kahf Taht ElGhar or Cave under the Cellar" in the Tetouan district. Wheat grains dating back about 6,300 years were found there.