A recent study published in Nature Communications presents groundbreaking evidence of Late Paleolithic humans utilizing whale bones for tool-making along the Bay of Biscay. Through a multiproxy analytical approach—including Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS), radiocarbon dating, and stable isotope analysis—the researchers examined both worked and unworked whale bone fragments from Magdalenian archaeological sites.

ZooMS analysis identified at least five large whale species among the bone samples, indicating a broader exploitation of cetacean resources than previously documented. Radiocarbon dating places the use of these whale-derived tools between approximately 20,000 and 14,000 years ago, with a peak in diversity and distribution around 17,500 to 16,000 years ago. This timeframe represents the earliest known evidence of systematic whale bone tool production.

Stable isotope analyses (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) provided insights into the foraging behaviors of the whale species, reflecting a rich and diverse marine ecosystem during the Late Paleolithic. The findings suggest that prehistoric coastal communities not only scavenged stranded whales but may have also engaged in active hunting practices.

This research significantly enhances our understanding of early human coastal adaptations and subsistence strategies. The integration of advanced analytical techniques offers a more nuanced perspective on the interactions between prehistoric humans and marine megafauna, highlighting the complexity and sophistication of Paleolithic societies in exploiting available natural resources.

For more detailed information, you can access the full article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59486-8