A small piece of obsidian discovered in Syria more than 80 years ago was mined at least 700 km from where it was found. This was stated by archaeologists from Yale and Cologne universities, Science News reports. Analysis of the fragment showed that it was processed 41 thousand - 32 thousand years ago. Researchers believe it was mined from volcanic rock in central Turkey. Until now, it was believed that the oldest evidence of the transportation of obsidian in the Middle East was 14.5 thousand - 11.5 thousand years, which corresponds to the period of the existence of the Natufian culture.
The discovered piece of obsidian could be used for various purposes. Perhaps he passed from one group of people to another several times before he ended up in a cave in the Yabrud area. During the operation, the obsidian fragment was sharpened several times. From the central part of Turkey to Yabrud in a straight line about 700 km, however, it is obvious that the route along which the artifact traveled was much more confusing.
There were no remains at the place where the find was found, nevertheless, scientists suggested that the owners of the item were, most likely, representatives of Homo sapiens, and not Neanderthals.