9,000-Year-Old Stone Needles Discovered in Tibet

Chinese archaeologists found 9,000-year-old stone artifacts, resembling sewing needles, in western Tibet. Discovered in 2020 near a lake in Ruthog, these items are the oldest stone needles on record, made from materials like tremolite and serpentine. Previously, the oldest stone needle was 2,700 years old. The artifacts also show traces of red ochre paint, suggesting symbolic use. Some experts debate their function, proposing they might have been personal ornaments. This finding shifts our understanding of early human presence on the Tibetan Plateau, dating back 62,000 years.