Cylcon facts for kids

Cylcons are amazing ancient stone tools made by the Aboriginal people of Australia. Imagine a stone shaped like a cylinder, but it gets narrower at one end, almost like a cone. These stones also have special marks carved into them. The name "cylcon" is just a shorter way of saying "cylindro-conical stone," which describes its shape perfectly!

These unique stones are some of the very first objects ever made by Aboriginal Australians that archaeologists have found. They give us clues about how people lived and thought thousands of years ago.

What Are Cylcons?

Cylcons are special because of their shape and the marks on them. They are usually made from hard stone and can be different sizes. The carvings on them are often lines, dots, or patterns. These marks might have been used to tell stories, share information, or even represent important places.

Who Found Cylcons?

One of the first Europeans to see cylcons was Matthew Flinders, a famous explorer. In 1802, he saw two of these stones and wrote about them. Since then, many more cylcons have been discovered across Australia.

What Were Cylcons Used For?

For a long time, experts have wondered what cylcons were really for.

• Early Ideas: Some archaeologists believe that cylcons were first used for special ceremonies, magic, or religious purposes. They might have been important objects in rituals or spiritual practices.
• Later Uses: Over time, it's thought that cylcons might have also been used for more everyday tasks. For example, some look like a pestle, which is a tool used to grind food. Imagine using it to crush seeds or plants to make flour!

How Old Are Cylcons?

It's hard to know the exact age of every cylcon because they've been around for so long. Many of them look very worn out from age and weather, which tells us they are incredibly old.

The Oldest Discoveries

The oldest cylcon found so far that archaeologists could accurately date is about 20,000 years old! That's a really long time ago, even before many other ancient tools or writings we know about.

Part of the Early Stone Age

Cylcons belong to a time called the Early Stone Age in Australia. This was a period when people used simple stone tools. They are from the same time as some of the earliest rock art made by Aboriginal Australians. Cylcons are even older than other important Aboriginal objects called tjurungas, which are sacred stones or wooden objects used in ceremonies.

Ancient Communication and Maps

Many experts believe that cylcons were used to communicate messages. If this is true, they could be the oldest form of recorded communication in the world! Imagine a stone carrying a message from 20,000 years ago.

Some researchers even think that certain cylcons might contain maps. If these carvings truly represent landscapes or routes, then cylcons could hold the secret to the oldest maps ever made. This makes them incredibly important for understanding ancient history and how people shared knowledge long ago.