The Creationist Myth - 500,000-Year-Old Stone Tools, Butchered Elephant Bones Found in Israel

Once in a while a discovery comes along that literally changes the way you think. Until the details are clear, we are left scratching our heads, searching for more evidence and validation.

500,000-Year-Old Stone Tools, Butchered Elephant Bones Found in Israel

“At the Revadim quarry, a wonderfully preserved site a half-million years old, we found butchered animal remains, including an elephant rib bone which had been neatly cut by a stone tool, alongside flint hand axes and scrapers still retaining animal fat,” said Prof Ran Barkai of the Tel Aviv University’s Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, who is the senior author on the paper.

You simply cannot dismiss the FACT that humans have existed on this Earth for more than a couple hundred thousand years. The creationists must realize the Bible continually contradicts itself and admit that their views on creation are nothing but poor interpretation of it's text. Lets take a look...

Age of Humanity (According to the Bible)

The Bible does not fix the age of the earth, contrary to the claims of Answers in Genesis. Historically, their claim comes from the work of James Ussher, Bishop in the Church of Ireland, from 1625 to 1656. Archbishop Ussher took the genealogies of Genesis, assuming they were complete, and calculated all the years to arrive at a date for the creation of the earth on Sunday, October 23, 4004 B.C.

His work was incomplete and highly inaccurate compared to other points of reference, but at the time, it was the only thing they could wrap their heads around. Here are a few versus that should be taken into consideration.

- Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations, (Chronicles 16:15)

- He has remembered His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations, (Psalm 105:8)

- but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)

- but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Deuteronomy 5:10)

- Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Unless each generation lasted only 6 years, these verses indicate that humanity has been around much longer than 6000 years. Usually, a biblical generation is considered 40 years long. That would mean that humans have been around for at least 40,000 years. If it were written as fiction, it would all make perfect sense. Here's the problem...


In U.S., 46% Hold Creationist View of Human Origins

Forty-six percent of Americans believe in the creationist view that God created humans in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years. The prevalence of this creationist view of the origin of humans is essentially unchanged from 30 years ago, when Gallup first asked the question. About a third of Americans believe that humans evolved, but with God's guidance; 15% say humans evolved, but that God had no part in the process.

Looks like it's going to be tough convincing half of America to change their absent minded opinion about creation. There must be a complete paradigm shift in the way we think if we're ever going to get along and move past our differences. As the evidence grows, it will become hard to ignore.

In the new PLoS ONE paper, the archaeologists report the surprising discovery of the butchered straight-tusk elephant remains in association with two stone tools 500,000 years old: a biface (56 mm in length, 48 mm wide and 16 mm thick) and a scraper (44 mm in length, 36 mm wide and 20 mm thick).

Fat Residue and Use-Wear Found on Acheulian Biface and Scraper Associated with Butchered Elephant Remains at the Site of Revadim, Israel


Abstract

The archaeological record indicates that elephants must have played a significant role in early human diet and culture during Palaeolithic times in the Old World. However, the nature of interactions between early humans and elephants is still under discussion. Elephant remains are found in Palaeolithic sites, both open-air and cave sites, in Europe, Asia, the Levant, and Africa. In some cases elephant and mammoth remains indicate evidence for butchering and marrow extraction performed by humans. Revadim Quarry (Israel) is a Late Acheulian site where elephant remains were found in association with characteristic Lower Palaeolithic flint tools. In this paper we present results regarding the use of Palaeolithic tools in processing animal carcasses and rare identification of fat residue preserved on Lower Palaeolithic tools. Our results shed new light on the use of Palaeolithic stone tools and provide, for the first time, direct evidence (residue) of animal exploitation through the use of an Acheulian biface and a scraper. The association of an elephant rib bearing cut marks with these tools may reinforce the view suggesting the use of Palaeolithic stone tools in the consumption of large game.

“In the case of the massive elephant, for example, they would have needed to use both tools to manage such a challenging task. The knowledge of how to make these tools was precious, and must have been passed along from generation to generation, because these tools were reproduced the same way across great territorial expanses and over hundreds of thousands of years.”

It seems like even in that stage of development, around half a million years ago they had existed previously and learned to adapt to their environment. I wouldn't be surprised to learn we existed for a few million years previous to what our latest discoveries tell us. Guess we'll just have to keep digging. Thanks for reading.

"You simply cannot dismiss the FACT that humans have existed on this earth for more than a couple hundred thousand years"
Yes I can!!(but I won't 'cause it's true ) Great read.

Creationists will tell you that anything over 6,000 years old is put there by God to test their faith.

It's a ridiculous argument.

Good thread, S&F!

I can't believe that nearly half of America can believe such a hoax! That's mind blowing to me. I used to believe the same, looking back now I don't see how I ever believed such nonsense. It's so obvious to me now, but then again I don't believe in hell anymore so I'm sure that played a major part in it.

a reply to: babybunnies

Strangely enough, there are Christians/creationists on ATS that do believe we could have been created through evolution. I can't recall who it was. and the entire thread that it was a part of was taken down.

a reply to: eisegesis

OK. That may clear one set of problems even if hard on a few religions.

Now, what is going to happen when the UFO ETs land and inform us that we have been engineered from lesser stock?
Won't that bother the anthro folks about as much as the religious folks were upset?

Actually, the religious folks, the smart ones, will say, "Ha Ha. We sorta told you, our calendar was off and we had some misconceptions about the 'divine power.'" But we were right anyhow.

a reply to: eisegesis

I believe that the universe was created by something over ten billion years ago.

I have no problem believing the earth is four billion years old, but I still believe in the creation theory.

So maybe you meant "Christians" and not "creationists"

a reply to: Aliensun

Unless they completely disprove evolution outside of humans then I don't see how that's a loss for those who believe in evolution.

a reply to: rockintitz

Thank you for the clarification, I edited my post as well

originally posted by: rockintitz
a reply to: eisegesis

I believe that the universe was created by something over ten billion years ago.

I have no problem believing the earth is four billion years old, but I still believe in the creation theory.

So maybe you meant "Christians" and not "creationists"

Wiki, while not the authority, defines Creationism as such:

Creationism is the belief that the Universe and Life originate "from specific acts of divine creation." For young Earth creationists, this includes taking a Biblical literalism to the Genesis creation narrative and the rejection of the scientific theory of evolution.

While you may be a "creationist" by your definition, the "creationist theory" speaks directly to how we as humans, not the Universe, came into existence according to Bible interpreters. So at the very least by your logic, we could be as old as the earth but did not originate upon it. I can entertain that idea.

a reply to: eisegesis

While i get your point and agree, i kinda think you are distracting from a great find (and thanks for posting it) with the anti-creationist angle and just inviting another circular discussion on a trodden to death and utterly entrenched subject. Don't all palaeolithic finds suggest that Young Earth Creationism is baseless?

For any who are interested in the archaeology, there is a link in the news source to the original article - it's a good read.

ETA: i see you posted in the creation (etc) forum, kinda renders part of my post irrelevant Have at it

originally posted by: babybunnies
Creationists will tell you that anything over 6,000 years old is put there by God to test their faith.

It's a ridiculous argument.

Or they'll use the tired old excuse that carbon dating is completely unreliable because, in their ignorance, they think that carbon dating is the only method used to determine the age of anything ever.

Before a somewhat-rational Christian gets their panties in a twist, I'm talking specifically about young-earth creationists here.

a reply to: eisegesis

I think you have lumped all for believe in a creator into one basket. As far as the bible goes as a collection of ancient texts we know there are missing parts and some of it is clearly written from much older texts. That does not mean there is not information contained in those texts that have value and truth.
Personally I think focusing on arguing about time values is not constructive although I loved reading Sir isaac Newton's take on it.

For all we know the earth was recreated many times and may be on the verge of another episode. For all we know time is beyond our understanding.

I do know that most of the people who have led the worlds science discoveries throughout history believed in creation.

originally posted by: skalla
a reply to: eisegesis

While i get your point and agree, i kinda think you are distracting from a great find (and thanks for posting it) with the anti-creationist angle and just inviting another circular discussion on a trodden to death and utterly entrenched subject. Don't all palaeolithic finds suggest that Young Earth Creationism is baseless?

For any who are interested in the archaeology, there is a link in the news source to the original article - it's a good read.

I supplied that link in the OP as well as the abstract. It is a fascinating read and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I believe creationists on ATS help breed ignorance and have no problem smacking them around a little, even if that makes me unpopular.

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
a reply to: Aliensun

Unless they completely disprove evolution outside of humans then I don't see how that's a loss for those who believe in evolution.

That's right; the 350 million year old 'shark species' would/should have something to say [their take] on evolution (they should rule the world); but they don't; they never made it to even a rudimentary mammal classification. What about all of species on the verge of 'extinction' perhaps they are "EMERGING" instead.

a reply to: eisegesis

Oh, i applaud that, popularity be damned

a reply to: eisegesis

I believe creationists on ATS help breed ignorance

I would bet many feel the same about those with your perspective.

a reply to: babybunnies
That reminds me of some song lyrics from a band called Alice in Chains.


The devil put dinosaurs here
Jesus don't like a queer
The devil put dinosaurs here
No problem with faith just fear.

a reply to: Char-Lee

I think you have lumped all for believe in a creator into one basket.

I'm going to have to say "no" on that unless you can point out where. People here are trying to give the term "creationism" a million definitions and then accuse me of attacking them. Typical...

As far as the bible goes as a collection of ancient texts we know there are missing parts and some of it is clearly written from much older texts.

Most cannot easily admit this. They are blind to those facts.

That does not mean there is not information contained in those texts that have value and truth.

I agree, except for their views on creation. While I don't claim to have the answer, I do know they are wrong.

a reply to: eisegesis

www.adherents.com...

I agree, except for their views on creation. While I don't claim to have the answer, I do know they are wrong.

You BELIEVE they are wrong, you don't KNOW anything.
Your not God