Some 200,000 years ago, prehistoric humans ceased using the large, heavy stone tools their ancestors had used for nearly 2 million years before that — such as handaxes, cleavers, and massive scrapers — and developed smaller and more sophisticated ones.

Until now, scholars attributed the change to an increase in cognitive ability in ancient hominins. However, a recent study by Tel Aviv University researchers, published in the April issue of the Quarterly Science Review, suggests that the disappearance of megaherbivores like elephants and hippos was also a crucial factor in driving the change.

“During the Lower Paleolithic period (approximately 2 million to 200,000 years ago), humans routinely used heavy-duty tools such as handaxes, cleavers, and massive scrapers,” PhD candidate Vlad Litov, the lead author of the study, said in a statement. “These tools were particularly well suited for butchering and processing the very large animals that served as a primary food source for humans throughout this period.”

“With the transition to the Middle Paleolithic period, around 200,000 years ago, heavy-duty tools almost completely disappeared and were replaced by smaller, lighter, and more sophisticated tools,” he added. “Until now, this shift has been attributed to advances in human cognition. In our new study, we........

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