Ax fragment found in Australia 'world's oldest'

A rock flake found in Australia is believed to be from the world's oldest known ax and likely dates from just after humans arrived in the country around 50,000 years ago, scientists said on Wednesday.

The fragment, about the size of a thumbnail, was found in Western Australia's sparsely populated Kimberley region and its age indicates that early indigenous technology was novel and inventive.

"This is without doubt the oldest ax in the world," said Peter Hiscock, the University of Sydney academic who analyzed the fragment.