What materials are the tools from the Mousterian period primarily made of?

The tools from the Mousterian period are primarily made of flint and other hard stones because this period, associated with Neandertal populations in Europe and parts of Asia, is characterized by the advanced flake technology that these materials allow. Flint, known for its ability to be finely worked into sharp edges, was ideal for creating a variety of tools such as projectile points, scrapers, and knives.

The use of hard stones was essential during the Mousterian period, as they provided the durability and sharpness needed for effective butchering of animals, woodworking, and other daily tasks essential for survival. This made them superior compared to materials like wood and bone, which, while used for some tools and artifacts, did not dominate the tool-making practices of this particular period.

Additionally, the other choices focus on materials that either do not match the archeological findings from this era or represent time periods far removed from the Mousterian. For example, recycled metal scraps are not applicable to the Mousterian period, as metallurgy had not yet been developed. Thus, flint and other hard stones stand out as the defining materials from this important phase of early human technological development.