Bone Awls

Bone Awls

Exhibit item

Date of discovery: 

1991

Discovered by: 

Christopher Henshilwood

Age: 

About 77,000 years old

Site: 

Blombos Cave, Republic of South Africa

Making clothing

Awls and perforators were probably invented in Africa and carried to colder climates, where they were used to pierce holes in clothing.

Image Credit: Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution