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Stone tools that are older than man have been found — suggesting that our ancient ancestors were already skilled toolmakers before they evolved into humans.

In a discovery which could rewrite the history books, archaeologists working in north-western Kenya found sharp cutting tools which date to 700,000 years before the first members of the genus homo emerged.

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The “momentous” finding is so significant because the making of stone tools is generally thought to mark the birth of humanity as it demonstrates significant mental ability and hand co-ordination.

But the tools show that earlier hominids — our ancestors who lie between humans and apes – were already well advanced. Writing in the journal Nature, the researchers said the tools represented “a new beginning to the known archaeological record.”

The team from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Rutgers University in America, found 149 stone artefacts tied to toolmaking, including stone cores, flakes, rocks used for hammering and anvils to strike on.