Shell fishhook
Anzuelo de concha
- Date
- c. 23 ka · confidence medium
- Place
- Jerimalai Shelter (Asitau Kuru), Tutuala, East Timor
- Credited to
- Homo sapiens
- Field
- Tools
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
Trochus shell fishhooks found with remains of pelagic tuna, demonstrating deep-sea fishing. Sakitari (Okinawa, 23 ka) has contemporary hooks.
Independent invention in Timor, Okinawa and, later, Europe (Magdalenian). Jerimalai dating between 23 and 16 ka.
What it led to
- Selective individual fishing of open-sea species
- Regular coastal navigation with watercraft
- Specialisation of hook types by species
Built on
- Systematic shellfish exploitationc. 164 ka
- Barbed bone harpoonc. 90 ka
- Open-sea crossing to Sahul (watercraft)c. 65 ka
- Cordage (twisted fibre string)c. 50 ka
- Barbed bone harpoon
- Cordage (twisted fibre string)
- Open-sea crossing to Sahul (watercraft)
Made possible
- Fishing net with sinkersc. 21 ka
- Fishing net with sinkers