Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
People were catching tuna and other offshore fish at least 42,000 years ago, according to fish remains from Jerimalai shelter in present-day Timor-Leste. The headline figure of 44,000 years is a broader, rounded framing—not the exact date the foundational study assigns to the fish remains.
What does the Jerimalai evidence show?
Jerimalai is a rock shelter in Timor-Leste with a long archaeological record. In a 2011 study, archaeologists Sue O’Connor, Rintaro Ono and Chris Clarkson reported pelagic—open-ocean—and other fish remains dating to about 42,000 years before present. The remains include tuna, fast-swimming fish that live offshore.
The University of Queensland reported that the site yielded more than 38,000 fish bones representing 2,843 individual fish. That count gives a sense of the scale of the assemblage, but the bones do not mean every individual was tuna.
A 2016 review described tuna bones in Jerimalai’s lowest layer, dated approximately 42,000–38,000 years ago, as the oldest evidence then available for people capturing and using tuna or other fast-swimming offshore fish. That is a time-bounded assessment by the review, not a definitive ranking of every archaeological site known today.
#1 Best Overall
- 🎣 Warm Prompt: Full Kit with Carrier Case Include 1 Fishing Rod + 1 Fishing Reel + Fishing Line + Various Fishing Lures + Fishing Hooks + Some Necessary Accessories + Carrier Bag.
- 🎣 Full Kit with Carrier Case is special made for novice, including nessary accessories for fishing. You can use it without buying any other accessories from anywhere.
- 🎣 PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Rod are constructed with High Density 24-Ton Carbon Fiber reinforced with Fiberglass Composite for power,elasticity and durability; The Welded Stainless Steel Guides with Ceramic Inserts for superior casting distance and accuracy while dissipating heat more efficiently which delivers excellent durability with monofilament, fluorocarbon and braided lines; The Exquisite Reel Seat Is Made of Corrosion Resistant CNC Machined Aluminum for a solid base and all-day.
- 🎣 HA 3000 Fishing Reel With CNC Machine Cut Collapsible Handle, Left / Right Interchangeable The Rod Import Adjustable Full Metal Screw Reel Seat,12+1 Corrosion Resistant Smooth Ball Bearings,Line capacity: mm/M 0.20/240 0.25/200 0.30/140, Gear ratio: 5.2:1.
- 🎣 It's the best gift to send father, husband, fiance, boyfriend for the upcoming Christmas Thanksgiving Day.
Why is catching tuna evidence of maritime skill?
Tuna are pelagic fish: they live in open water rather than only in sheltered shallows. Catching them therefore implies that people could reach offshore fishing grounds, anticipate where fish might be, and use some means of capturing fast-moving prey. The 2011 study authors wrote that “the evidence implies that the inhabitants were fishing in the deep sea.” They argued that pelagic fishing required planning and complex maritime technology.
This is an inference from the species represented and the archaeological context. The evidence does not identify the exact boats, hooks, lines, lures or capture techniques used for each fish. It would be misleading to describe any modern tuna-fishing method as established fact for these ancient fishers.
Rank #2
- 🎣 Warm Prompt: Fishing rod + reel (No Lures & Line) include Only Include 1 Fishing Rod +1 Fishing Reel.
- 🎣 Perfect elasticity, high density Carbon fiber mixed with fiberglass makes your fishing pole hard & durable.
- 🎣 Stainless Steel Hooded Reel Seat is anti-seawater corrosion; EVA Fore Grip for comfort. The telescopic fishing rod is portable, and closed length design is convenient carrying around. Power: Medium.
- 🎣 Instant anti-reverse; Power drive gears equipped for high strength. Deep aluminium spool with double color and one line hole; More short body with large spool and large line capacity. Line capacity: mm/M 0.20/240 0.25/200 0.30/140. Model: HA 3000; Gear ratio: 5.2:1.
- 🎣 It's the best gift to send father, son, husband，fiance, boyfriend for the upcoming Christmas. Want to buy single rod or single reel? Please search the ASIN: B07FT29RJS or B07YFP8KV3.
Does the 42,000-year date apply to a fishhook?
No. The age of the fish remains and the age of a surviving fishing tool are separate claims. The 2011 study’s abstract reports early definite evidence for fishhook manufacture, but that does not mean a specific hook found elsewhere—or every tuna bone at Jerimalai—has the same date.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A separate hook from Lene Hara Cave, also in Timor-Leste, is reported in an Antiquity article with a measurement of 9,741 ± 60 BP. BP means “before present” in archaeological dating; retain that reported measurement rather than converting it to calendar years without a supporting calibrated date. It is a distinct find, not a 42,000-year-old tuna hook.
Rank #3
- UGLY STIK 7’ COMPLETE SALTWATER SPINNING COMBO: Includes 9 pieces of Saltwater tackle to catch multiple Saltwater Species: 20lb. mono double hook bottom rig (2), 3oz. pyramid sinker (2) and 3/0 circle hooks (5).
- UGLY TECH CONSTRUCTION: Telescopic - 2-piece, Ugly Tech construction combines graphite and fiberglass, for a strong, yet sensitive rod. Telescoping. Includes 7 year rod warranty. Gear ratio of 5.1:1 provides smooth operation and mechanical advantage.
- SIZE 50 SPINNING REEL: 1 ball bearing system for smooth operation. Features 6 Stainless Steel guides to provide durability and eliminate insert pop-outs during rough treatment. Pre-spooled with 14lb line.
- FRONT DRAG: Graphite spinning reel with ball bearing; Multi-Stop system helps keep fighting the fish on your terms. EVA handle balances durability and comfort. Right/Left handle position.
- 12-25LB LINE RATING, MEDIUM HEAVY POWER: Ugly Stik Clear Tip delivers strength where you need it. Mono Capacity yd/lb: 280/12 215/14 195/17 (m/mm: 255/0.33 195/0.36 180/.038).
Why do headlines sometimes say 44,000 years?
The foundational study gives about 42,000 years before present for the pelagic and other fish remains. A 44,000-year headline may refer more broadly to the site’s occupation or round the wider archaeological story; it should not be read as the exact date assigned to every tuna bone. The careful takeaway is that the Jerimalai evidence places offshore fishing, including tuna capture, at roughly 42,000 years ago.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Fishing rod reel combos with carrier bag and nessary accessories for fishing,include: Two telescopic fishing rods+ Two fishing reels +One carrier bag + fishing lures + some nessary accessories.
- The Rod with fiberglass make the fishing pole hard,the hard and Light Weight Guide Ring is International Advanced Epoxy Resin Adhesive Make The Guide Ring More Solid.
- 【2 x Powerful 3000 Spinning Reels】The spinning fishing reels has a folding design, and a more comfortable handshake. The reverse stop switch controls the forward and reverse rotation of the fishing wheel. The rocker arms can be exchanged left and right to meet different user habits.
- 【What you get】 2 x Strong Fishing Rods, 2 xSpinning Reels ,fishing lures.It’s an affordable price to get the fishing gears what a fishman must have.
Rank #4
- UGLY STIK 6' GX2 SPINNING FISHING ROD AND REEL COMBO: The next-gen Ugly Stik, featuring better balance and improved components for enhanced durability. From the makers of the #1 rod series in the world.
- SIZE 30 FISHING REEL: Machined double anodized aluminum spool is lightweight and corrosion resistant with an oversized bail wire and bail spring compression.Recovers at the rate of 28" | 70cm with every turn of the crank. Gear ratio of 5.2:1.
- 6 DURABLE UGLY TUFF GUIDES: PVD-coated one-piece stainless steel guides provide excellent corrosion resistance and durability to reduce line fray.
- UGLY TECH CONSTRUCTION: Constructed from graphite and fiberglass for a better balanced rod, while maintaining legendary toughness and strength. Ugly Stik GX2 fishing rods are covered by a 10 year warranty you won't find anywhere else.
- UGLY STIK CLEAR TIP: 2-piece fishing rod features Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity. 6 - 15 lb line rating, Medium power. Built tough to stand up to what's next. Lure rating of 1/8 - 5/8 oz.
Sources
- O’Connor, Ono and Clarkson, “Pelagic fishing at 42,000 years before the present and the maritime skills of modern humans,” Science (2011)
- The University of Queensland’s 2011 report on the fish-bone assemblage
- The Antiquity article reporting the Lene Hara Cave hook measurement
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
