Ancient hominids made long road trips to collect stone for tools

Our ancestors were traveling up to 13 kilometers at least 2.6 million years ago

A matrix of stone tools on a black background.

Ancient hominids transported high-quality rock a surprisingly long way — up to 13 kilometers — to make stone implements, including the ones shown here, at least 2.6 million years ago, researchers say.

E.M Finestone, J.S. Oliver, Homa Peninsula Paleoanthropology Project

Starting at least 2.6 million years ago, East African toolmakers became tech-savvy road warriors.