Ancient Needles and Awls Had Diverse Uses, Study Finds

Research shows these tools enabled survival in cold climates and served a variety of purposes beyond clothing production.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A study led by anthropologist McKenna Litynski confirms that ancient needles and awls enabled humans to survive in cold climates and served a variety of purposes beyond clothing production, including medical suturing, fishing, tattooing, basketry, and ceremonial activities.

Why it matters

This research provides new insight into how environmental and social factors shaped human behavior and tool use over thousands of years, offering archaeologists a richer understanding of one of the most common artifact types in the perishable archaeological record.

The details

Litynski's study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, analyzed hundreds of ethnographic documents from the 18th through 20th centuries in North America. The data showed that while clothing production was the most common activity associated with needles and awls, these tools were also widely used for other purposes, including medical, fishing, tattooing, basketry, and ceremonial activities. Statistical modeling confirmed that mentions of these tools increased significantly in colder environments, supporting the theory that sewing technology played a key role in human survival and expansion into frigid climates.

  • The study was led by McKenna Litynski, a recent Ph.D. graduate in anthropology and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Wyoming.
  • The research was published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE in 2026.

The players

McKenna Litynski

A recent Ph.D. graduate in anthropology and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Wyoming who led the study.

University of Wyoming Department of Anthropology

The department where Litynski conducted the research, including Professors Sean Field and Randy Haas who co-authored the study.

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What they’re saying

“Ultimately, it is not only the tools themselves that are significant, but also the people who once used these objects in the past. It is through examining needles and awls from different lenses that archaeologists like me can reveal their capacity to unravel the broader story of human ingenuity, adaptability and cultural evolution over the last several thousands of years and throughout the world.”

— McKenna Litynski, Anthropologist (PLOS ONE)

The takeaway

This study demonstrates that ancient sewing tools like needles and awls played a crucial role not only in human survival in cold climates, but also in a wide range of cultural and daily life activities over thousands of years. The findings offer archaeologists new perspectives on understanding these ubiquitous artifacts and the broader story of human innovation and adaptation.