Year 40,000 bce

Communication

Humans in Eurasia wear beads, bracelets, pins, rings, pendants, diadems, and pectorals. See also 45,000 bce Communication.

Construction of hearths in northern latitudes begins to improve noticeably. Stone borders are arranged for heat retention and to direct air flow. Some hearths are enclosed in clay walls and may be used as kilns for ceramic production, although they may also be used for baking or other purposes. See also 600,000 bce Energy; 28,000 bce Materials.

Simple forms of stone lamps are in use, probably fueled with animal fat and using grass or moss for a wick. See also 3500 bce Energy.

Ground stone axes are made on the Huon Peninsula of New Guinea. See also 130,000 bce Materials; 32,000 bce Tools.

The earliest stone-tool industry in Europe to include blades is known from the Bacho Kiro site (Bulgaria). See also 150,000 bce Tools; 38,000 bce Tools.