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Bones are truly remarkable! Throughout time, they've been repurposed in countless ways. They hold the secrets of the past and offer us a glimpse into the future. Archaeologists unearth bones to uncover ancient tales. These skeletal remains reveal much about past societies, their rituals, and their lives and deaths. Fascinating, right? But bones aren't just a thing of history.
Scientists have also found innovative ways to use bones to create essential tools and promote our health. These tools, in turn, support the human body and aid doctors in their healing practices. By examining the bones of animals and other ancient artifacts, we gain insight into what people and creatures ate centuries ago and how they coexisted. And believe it or not, bones have had even more uses over time. Some may surprise you!
In this article, we will explore ten utterly unexpected historical uses of both human and animal bones. Some of these innovative applications might astound you, but they are all well-documented across centuries of human existence! So, the next time you come across a bone, remember—it's more than just what it appears to be. It could be a unique and invaluable tool in the service of humanity.
10. Tupperware
In the early 2000s, construction workers in Israel made an extraordinary discovery: a vast stone cave, later named Qesem Cave. Since then, archaeologists have been uncovering its hidden secrets, challenging everything we thought we knew about human origins and evolution.
In a groundbreaking 2019 study by researchers from Tel Aviv University, new evidence suggests that prehistoric humans who lived in Qesem Cave around 400,000 years ago had a remarkable method for preserving food. These early humans wrapped pieces of deer bones with the animal’s skin to store the marrow inside. This discovery provides insight into their advanced intelligence and resourcefulness. Essentially, they were using a form of Tupperware long before we ever thought of it.
The study reveals a surprising shift in our understanding of early humans. Contrary to previous beliefs that these people were simple hunter-gatherers relying only on immediate food availability, this preservation technique allowed them to store marrow for months—up to two months—and ensured a more reliable food supply.
Before this discovery, no evidence of such preservation practices had been found, leading experts to believe that early humans faced long periods of food scarcity. But as it turns out, they had their own method of food storage. The carcasses of fallow deer, their main source of prey, were brought back to the cave, where the meat and fat were removed, leaving the bones intact for marrow storage. And that’s where the real story begins.
The extraordinary ingenuity of these ancient humans, revealed through their advanced food preservation methods, challenges our perception of their capabilities and underscores the complexity of their way of life. The findings at Qesem Cave continue to provide fascinating glimpses into our distant past. Isn’t it incredible to think that the earliest version of Tupperware dates back thousands of years?
9. Medicine
For centuries in China, ancient bones known as 'dragon bones' were unearthed and used as a form of medicine, long before their true origins were uncovered. These so-called 'dragon bones' were actually fossils from dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago. Villagers in rural areas had no idea of their archaeological significance. Instead, they believed these bones possessed magical healing properties and would grind them into powder to treat various ailments.
The local populations turned to these mysterious bones to treat conditions like dizziness, leg cramps, dysentery, internal swelling, and even malaria. For generations, remote villages in China swore by the medicinal benefits of these bones. Since they had no knowledge of their true origin as dinosaur fossils, calling them 'dragon bones' was a fitting name.
While this medicinal use did offer some relief to those seeking treatment, it also unintentionally posed a challenge to the scientific community. The practice of grinding and consuming these ancient bones disrupted valuable fossil evidence, creating obstacles for paleontologists. However, it’s not all negative.
Today, despite the loss of some fossils due to this practice, the knowledge of local populations regarding the locations of these fossil-rich areas has proven invaluable for paleontological excavations and studies. Thanks to their historical understanding of the region and its bone-related traditions, many dinosaur fossils were uncovered, ensuring that science could still thrive in the face of this setback.
8. Buttons
Bone-made objects resembling today's buttons have been found at archaeological sites dating as far back as 2000 BC. However, ancient buttons weren't used to fasten clothing like the buttons we use today. In medieval Paris, during the 13th century, specialized guilds crafted buttons from materials such as bone and wood. These old buttons were not just functional but also ornamental. They adorned garments and, in some cases, served to keep them fastened.
It’s possible to distinguish antique bone buttons from modern ones based on their unique features. These vintage buttons are heavier, have a dry texture, and come in a range of sizes. This is because they were commonly made from cattle shinbones. Craftsmen valued bone for its strength and durability but lacked the precision to create identical buttons every time.
Today, buttons are made from a variety of materials like plastics, metals, and natural substances. These innovations reflect advancements in production methods and the broad availability of different materials. Modern buttons serve a more practical purpose compared to their ancient counterparts. Nevertheless, the creation of bone buttons hundreds of years ago is a fascinating tradition we can’t claim with today’s versions!
7. Weapons
In the wild, bones can be turned into weapons. By shaping knives from broken deer leg bones, one can create a tool ideal for piercing. While the use of such knives is primarily limited to puncturing, bones have historically been one of the most common tools used as weapons. In fact, this has been one of the oldest applications of bones by humans throughout history.
Long ago, the Clovis people of prehistoric North America crafted sharp projectiles from bone or wood. Surprisingly, bone projectiles have been found embedded in the rib of a male mastodon skeleton. This discovery suggests successful lethal attacks, as confirmed by archaeologists. What an impressive shot! Interestingly, there were no signs of bone regrowth around the Clovis point, leading experts to believe the mastodon likely died shortly after the strike.
The Clovis people weren’t alone in using bone in this way. The Apache tribe, for instance, crafted clubs from the jawbones of horses, elk, buffalo, or bears. They often left the teeth intact, even polishing them for added aesthetic appeal.
There are other historical examples of bones being used as weapons as well. The biblical story of Samson, akin to the Hercules legend in Abrahamic religions, recounts how Samson killed a thousand men using the jawbone of a donkey. So, the notion of bones wielding power as weapons certainly has a strong historical precedent…
6. Housing
During the Upper Paleolithic period in Europe, our early ancestors, including Neanderthals, demonstrated remarkable ingenuity by using the resources around them. They took bones and tusks from woolly mammoths and transformed them into basic shelters, homes, and windbreaks. The bones were tied together or planted in the ground for structural support. Astonishingly, this simple technique led to durable, long-lasting shelters.
In South America, ancient humans exhibited similar resourcefulness. They repurposed the shells of Glyptodons—giant, armadillo-like creatures—for protection and shelter. Like the Neanderthals of Europe, they displayed an impressive ability to adapt to their environment and maximize the use of available materials.
Overall, the fact that Neanderthals and early humans used mammoth bones and Glyptodon shells for shelter speaks volumes about their resourcefulness and adaptability. It reveals their capabilities and technological achievements. More importantly, it provided them with a safe, reliable shelter that was crucial for their survival—far more significant for their existence than the archaeological knowledge we gain today!
5. Delicacies
Throughout the culinary traditions of regions like India, Iran, and Hungary, an extraordinary secret lies hidden within bones: bone marrow. Yes, the very same marrow that is now a common delicacy—and has been for ages. Rich in nutrients, bone marrow serves as a delicious treat that delights the most refined taste buds.
In India, bone marrow is considered a culinary treasure. The slow-cooked curry known as 'Nihari' features tender pieces of beef or lamb shanks, highlighting the richness of marrow. Stewed in a blend of spices, the gelatinous texture of the marrow imparts a luxurious creaminess that enhances the dish’s flavors, leaving diners craving more.
In the vast deserts of Iran, bone marrow plays a key role in traditional dishes. 'Dizi,' a cherished stew, combines tender lamb or beef with marrow, chickpeas, and aromatic spices. Another stew, 'abgoosht,' relies on the marrow’s lusciousness to elevate the dish, transforming it into a melt-in-your-mouth delight that entices the senses.
Hungary, known for its bold flavors, also incorporates bone marrow into its cuisine. 'Csontos Káposzta,' a beloved dish, uses marrow-filled bones to deepen the intensity of sauerkraut and smoked pork. The marrow’s rich, unctuous texture harmonizes with the tangy sauerkraut, creating a dynamic burst of flavor that captivates the taste buds. Delicious!
4. Farming and Food Processing Tools
Historical cultures have shown remarkable ingenuity time and time again. For instance, some crafted shovels from animal bones, like shoulder blades. In America, the Cherokee Indians used large bones and sticks to fashion shovels for digging. These tools were tied together with leather or deer ligaments, helping them cultivate corn and other crops. Realizing that bare hands weren’t enough, they exhibited incredible creativity to solve everyday problems.
Long before the Cherokee, other groups crafted shovels from animal bones. They used shoulder blades from pigs or deer, and sometimes added antler handles for better grip. These bone-made shovels were both durable and easy to handle, making them perfect for early farming. In China, pig or oxen bones were repurposed in the same way, with the bones being swapped out regularly to keep the tools effective for digging. Think of it as an ancient form of tool maintenance, similar to sharpening an ax or knife today.
3. Musical Instruments
Did you know that bones can be turned into flutes? It’s a fact! For centuries, people have been using the hollow bones of birds to create flutes. Archaeologists have found ancient bone flutes in caves in Germany, known as Geissenklösterle and Hohle Fels, that date back thousands of years.
The flute pieces discovered in Geissenklösterle are estimated to be about 35,000 years old. Meanwhile, the Hohle Fels flute, made from the wing bone of a griffon vulture, is around 4,000 years old. In France, another fascinating discovery was made in the city of Isturitz, where ancient flutes crafted from swan wing bones were found, dating back around 30,000 years.
It seems our ancestors were incredibly inventive, using the hollow bones of birds to create musical instruments. The natural hollow structure of the bones made them ideal for crafting flutes, allowing them to produce beautiful sounds that have echoed through human history for millennia.
2. Divination
In ancient China, bones from turtles, oxen, and water buffalo were used in the art of divination. These bones were cleaned, smoothed, and made flat before rows of pits were chiseled or drilled into them. The bones were then heated until they cracked, and the resulting fractures were read to predict the future. These ancient seers would interpret the cracks and offer guidance to families and communities. Unfortunately, the exact method of interpreting these cracks is lost to history, and if we knew it, we might be able to unlock some modern-day mysteries.
The term “oracle bones” refers to the turtle and ox bones used for divination in ancient China. However, using shoulder blades to foretell the future was not exclusive to China. This practice, known as scapulimancy, was also found in Japan, Korea, Europe, Africa, and North America. Many cultures over the centuries, including farmers in Greece and Serbia, used scapulimancy for purposes such as weather prediction, fortune-telling, and even astrological forecasting.
1. Fertilizer
In the mid-1800s, bone meal became a widely used fertilizer. On the American frontier, settlers would gather buffalo bones and grind them down to enrich the soil, making it more fertile and suitable for crops. This was a vital practice that helped sustain life in the challenging terrain of the prairies as Americans expanded westward. By the late 1800s, as the cattle industry grew, buffalo bones were replaced with cow bones for the same purpose.
In modern times, the primary bone used in fertilizers is derived from ground-up cow skeletons. In certain areas, bones from pigs and sheep are also utilized for this purpose. Bone meal is available in two forms: coarse grind and fine grind. The finer grind releases nutrients into the soil more rapidly. Although bone meal is rich in calcium and phosphorus, it lacks nitrogen, so gardeners often supplement it with nitrogen-rich manure to achieve a well-rounded fertilizer. This ancient use of bones for soil enrichment continues to be effective in today's gardening practices.
