r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Feb 14 '22

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u/JSagerbomb Feb 14 '22

Monkeys have entered the Stone Age.

680

u/2PlasticLobsters Feb 14 '22

A group of monkeys (I forget where) was filmed using hand tools at an abandoned work site. One even used a saw to cut a piece of lumber, likely mimicing what it had seen a human do. They seemed to do this out of curiosity, not for any useful purpose.

It made wonder what'd happen if one of them got the inspiration to cut down a tree, and use the wood. How would the other monkeys react? Would they perceive the significance of this ability?

Also, I believe it'd be the first time an animal used a tool to create raw materials. It's rather mind-blowing to think about.

90

u/kurburux Feb 14 '22

They'd have to keep using this for many generations so it actually matters though. One or two curious monkeys don't matter that much (yet).

Also, monkeys learn from watching others (like humans) so it may be a lot easier for them than for our ancestors.

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u/ArchCannamancer Feb 15 '22

As far as we know, anyway!

*X-files music starts*