Rare Prehistoric Tools Discovered in Senegal

Archaeologists have unearthed rare stone tools in Senegal that date back around 9,000 years, offering a rare look into how prehistoric communities in West Africa survived and adapted. The findings, made at a small excavation site in the Falémé Valley, are helping researchers better understand the daily lives and toolmaking practices of some of the region’s last hunter-gatherers.

The excavation took place at a site called Ravin Blanc X, where researchers discovered traces of a long-lost quartz workshop and the remains of an ancient fireplace. While no finished tools were left behind, archaeologists found flakes and stone cores — remnants from tool production — that had remained undisturbed for thousands of years.

The discovery is especially important because West Africa’s ancient past remains largely unknown. Unlike other regions such as Europe or East Africa, where climate and soil have helped preserve historical layers, the West African environment has made it difficult to trace early human settlements.

“In this part of the continent, climatic and geological factors have not favored the preservation of stratified remains in the soil,” said Anne Mayor, an archaeologist from the University of Geneva.

Prehistoric tools discovered in Senegal

The Ravin Blanc X site is small — only about 25 square meters — but it contains surprisingly well-preserved layers of history. Beneath a more recent Neolithic layer, researchers discovered older sediment dating to a time known as the early Holocene, a period of warmer and wetter climate after a long era of drought.

This ancient deposit revealed signs of toolmaking activity. A team of scientists from the University of Geneva and the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire spent months carefully piecing together thousands of quartz fragments. By doing so, they could reconstruct how early people selected high-quality stone and crafted tools.

It was like solving a massive puzzle, explained Charlotte Pruvost, the study’s lead author. “We were able to reconstruct the techniques used, the criteria for selecting high-quality quartz, and the skill level of the knappers.”

Shared cultures, different environments

The tools found in Senegal resemble other discoveries across West Africa, suggesting that hunter-gatherer groups shared common practices. These tools — small, sharp stone pieces — were likely used for hunting and show signs of careful and consistent crafting.

However, archaeologists note a clear contrast when comparing tools from forested areas in the south. There, early communities appeared to use more spontaneous methods, likely shaped by their different surroundings. These differences hint at the early development of distinct cultural groups based on environment and location.

The research was part of a broader international collaboration. Experts from Switzerland, Senegal, France, and Germany contributed to the study by analyzing soil, wood, and plant materials to better understand how people lived and what their environment was like at the time.

Published in the journal PLOS One, the findings highlight the richness of Africa’s ancient history and the importance of continued research in regions where historical evidence is often hard to find. The study offers a rare window into how early humans adapted their tools, habits, and culture to thrive in challenging conditions.