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The World's First Steak Knife
Thursday, August 26, 2010
TAU archaeologists uncover 200,000-year-old cutlery
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The flint flake found in Israel that scientists argue was used to cut meat.
Photo: Ron Barkai
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A Tel Aviv University-led dig has recently uncovered what is thought to be the world's oldest known cutlery — tiny stone knives that would have been used to cut meat during a meal.
Ran Barkai, the leader of the dig, says that while the knives may only be about the size of a quarter, their two sharp edges and two dull edges would have made them easy to hold between fingers and safe to bring close to the mouth.
Discovered around a central fireplace along with burned animal bones, these flint knives would have been the ancient equivalent of disposable cutlery, scientists say, easy to make and discarded when dulled.
According to Barkai, marks on the tiny utensils indicate that they were used to make delicate cuts through soft meat. Researchers replicated the tiny tool and noted that it easily sliced through muscles, skin and tendons.
For the full story about TAU’s discovery of the world’s oldest cutlery, see the AOLNews story:
http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/researchers-in-israel-find-worlds-first-steak-knives/19563689
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Read AFTAU's Spotlight on Tel Aviv University's Department of Archaeology here
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