# Stone and water access shaped where early humans lived

A study reported by New Scientist suggests early humans chose where to live based on access to both water and stone for making tools. The finding broadens understanding of how resource availability shaped early human settlement and survival.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Science
- [New Scientist](https://www.newscientist.com/article/2596225-access-to-stone-rather-than-water-governed-where-early-humans-lived/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS) — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000
- [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-03263-0) — 2026-10-28
- [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-11180-5) — 2026-10-28