Final answer:
The crucial tool early humans made from animal hides was sophisticated clothing, using sewing techniques with bone needles and thread from animal sources or wild flax. This invention was critical for survival in colder climates and represents a significant advancement during the Upper Paleolithic period. Additionally, hides were used for other vital items such as footwear and tools.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crucial tool that early humans could have made from animal hides is clothing, specifically more sophisticated and tight-fitting clothing using sewing techniques. With the advent of sewing needles made of bone, and thread derived from animal remains or wild flax, humans could stitch together bits of soft animal hide to produce these garments. This advancement in clothing technology was essential for humans, particularly as they moved into colder environments during the Upper Paleolithic period, improving their chances of survival.
These refined sewing methods, together with the tools made from both stone and bones, reflect a significant leap in human ingenuity and adaptation to their environments. The Gravettian tool industry highlights the versatility of utilizing animal remains not just for clothing but also for tools and even artistic expressions. The blade tool industry saw the shift from the manufacture of round flakes to the production of blade tools that were more efficient for a range of tasks.
In addition to clothing, animal hides were crucial for making other tools and accessories, such as moccasins, robes, and possibly even baby slings known as a kaross among the San peoples, although organic tools like these have not survived in the fossil record.