Experts have long speculated that prehistoric tools were used to help early hunters kill and butcher animals but evidence to back up these claims has been lacking - until now . Researchers analysing elephant remains in Israel have discovered signs of animal residue on primitive tools called 'handaxes and scrapers ' alongside cut marks in the remains themselves . And by replicating the flint tools for a modern butchering experiment they said the 'handaxe was prehistoric man 's 'Swiss army knife ' - capable of breaking down bone , sinew and hide . Researchers analysing elephant remains ( rib pictured ) in Israel have discovered signs of animal residue on primitive tools called 'handaxes and scrapers ' alongside cut marks in the remains themselves . This analysis is said to be the first time proof of prehistoric butchery has been scientifically verified . The slimmer , more delicate scraper was then used to separate fur and animal fat from muscle tissue . The tools and remains were discovered at a Lower Paleolithic site in Revadim , Israel , by Professor Ran Barkai , Natasha Solodenko and Andrea Zupanchich from Tel Aviv University 's Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures . The team used a process called 'use-wear analysis ' which involves examining the surfaces and edges of the tools to determine their function . The researchers studied three tools found in the Revadim quarry in Israel - a flake , biface or 'handaxe ' and scraper . No use-traces or identifiable residue was found on the flake . The biface and scraper both revealed 'well preserved and clear use-wear traces ' . The biface use traces indicate the processing of 'medium-hard material ' believed to be evidence of hide scraping . The scraper instead featured traces of 'soft or medium material ' . This is believed to be animal tissue . Both tools showed residue of adipocere , or animal fat and on the scraper , both tissues and vegetable residues were found . It also used so-called Fourier Transform InfraRed ( FTIR ) residue analysis to identify organic residue . FTIR uses infrared to identify bio-signatures of prehistoric compounds . From this , the researchers were able to demonstrate for the first time direct proof of animal exploitation by flint tools . 'There are three parts to this puzzle : the expansion of the human brain , the shift to meat consumption , and the ability to develop sophisticated technology to meet the new biological demands , ' Professor Barkai said . 'The invention of stone technology was a major breakthrough in human evolution . ' Fracturing rocks in order to butcher and cut animal meat is said to represent a key biological and cultural milestone . 'At the Revadim quarry we found butchered animal remains , including an elephant rib bone which had been neatly cut by a stone tool , alongside flint handaxes and scrapers still retaining animal fat , ' continued Professor Barkai . 'It became clear from further analyses that butchering and carcass processing indeed took place at this site . ' The tools and remains were discovered at a Lower Paleolithic site in Revadim , Israel ( marked ) . The team used 'use-wear analysis ' to examine the surfaces and edges of the tools . It also used so-called Fourier Transform fraRed ( FTIR ) residue analysis to identify organic residue . The researchers studied three tools : a flake , biface ( pictured ) and scraper . No use-traces or identifiable residue were found on the flake but the biface and scraper both revealed 'clear use-wear traces ' . The biface use traces indicate the processing of 'medium-hard material ' believed to be evidence of hide scraping . The scraper ( pictured ) instead featured traces of 'soft or medium material ' . This is believed to be animal tissue . Both tools additionally showed residue of adipocere , or animal fat , and on the scraper , both tissues and vegetable residues were found . The experts said the 'handaxe ' was the equivalent to a prehistoric 'Swiss army knife ' ( stock image ) - capable of breaking down bone , sinew and hide . The paper said the tools would have also been used to process hides . Prehistoric peoples made use of all parts of the animal . In the case of the elephant , for example , they would have needed to use both tools to manage such a challenging task . 'The knowledge of how to make these tools was precious , and must have been passed along from generation to generation , because these tools were reproduced the same way across great territorial expanses and over hundreds of thousands of years , ' said Professor Barkai . 'In this thousand-piece puzzle called archaeology , sometimes we find pieces that connect other pieces together . 'This is what we have found with the stone tools and animal bones . ' The research , published in Plos One , was done in collaboration with Dr Stella Ninziante Cesaro and Dr Cristina Lemorini of La Sapienza , University of Rome , and Dr Ofer Marder of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev . The damaged edge of the scraper is shown . 'In this thousand-piece puzzle called archaeology , sometimes we find pieces that connect other pieces together , ' said lead researcher Professor Ran Barkai . 'This is what we have found with the stone tools and animal bones '
Tools and remains were found a Lower Paleolithic site in Revadim , Israel . Experts used 'use-wear ' and Fourier Transform InfraRed ( FTIR ) analysis . These are processes that determine function and identify organic residue . This analysis is the first time proof of prehistoric butchery has been found . And by replicating the flint tools for a modern butchering experiment , the researchers said the 'handaxe ' was prehistoric man 's 'Swiss army knife ' .