A complete shell fish hook from the Pleistocene levels of a cave site at the east end of Timor. Image credit Sue O’Connor, Australian National University
 
An archaeologist from The Australian National University has uncovered the world’s oldest evidence of deep sea fishing for big fish, showing that 42,000 years ago our [Australian] ancestors had mastered one of [the] nation’s favourite pastimes. Professor O’Connor also uncovered the world’s oldest fish hook, which dates from a later period.
 
“We found a fish hook, made from a shell, which dates to between 23,000 and 16,000 years ago. This is, we believe, the earliest known example of a fish hook and shows that our ancestors were skilled crafts people as well as fishers.  The hooks don’t seem suitable for pelagic fishing, but it is possible that other types of hooks were being made at the same time.”
 
More here.