Early humans may have begun butchering elephants 1.8 million years ago

image via New Scientist

January 6, 2026, 7:00 PM

• •A 1.78-million-year-old site in Tanzania provides potential evidence of ancient humans butchering elephants.
• •The EAK site includes an elephant skeleton and stone tools, possibly used by Homo erectus.
• •Some scientists question the evidence, citing the lack of cut marks and alternative findings.
• •The discovery provides insights into early human behavior and tool use.

Researchers have discovered a 1.78-million-year-old elephant butchery site in Tanzania, potentially representing the oldest evidence of humans butchering giant herbivores. The site, named EAK, contains a partial elephant skeleton and stone tools, suggesting the use of advanced tools by Homo erectus for butchering. Despite the evidence, some scientists remain unconvinced, citing a lack of definitive cut marks and other factors, with alternative evidence of butchery found at a later site. This discovery offers insights into early human behavior, tool use, and potential social changes associated with larger hominin groups.

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