476,000-Year-Old Wooden Structures Found in Zambia Rewrite Human History

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University have uncovered the world's oldest man-made wooden structures at the archaeological site of Kalambo Falls in Zambia, dating back an astonishing 476,000 years. The well-preserved wood, found with stone tool cut-marks, provides evidence that early humans deliberately crafted logs to fit together, likely creating a platform or part of a dwelling during the Early Stone Age.

Why this matters: This discovery challenges our understanding of human evolution and capabilities, revealing that early humans were more sophisticated and capable of complex construction than previously thought. The implications of this find could lead to a reevaluation of our ancestors' technological and social development.

This remarkable find challenges the prevailing view of Stone Age humans as nomadic, suggesting instead that they were capable of settling and building complex structures. Professor Larry Barham from the University of Liverpool, who led the study, emphasized the significance of the discovery: "Forget the label 'Stone Age', look at what these people were doing – they made something new, and large, from wood. They used their intelligence, imagination, and skills to create something they'd never seen before, something that had never previously existed."

The site's permanently high water levels preserved the wood, which is rarely found at such ancient sites due to its tendency to rot and disappear. Professor Geoff Duller from Aberystwyth University, who used state-of-the-art luminescence dating techniques to determine the age of the finds, highlighted the implications for understanding human evolution: "At this great age, putting a date on finds is very challenging and we used luminescence dating to do this."

The discovery forms part of the 'Deep Roots of Humanity' project, an investigation into how human technology developed in the Stone Age. The site of Kalambo Falls, which lies above a 235-meter waterfall on the border between Zambia and Tanzania, is on the tentative list for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its archaeological significance, now even greater given the discovery's age.

The research team is looking forward to more exciting discoveries emerging from the site's waterlogged sands. As Professor Barham noted, "These folks were more like us than we thought." The groundbreaking find at Kalambo Falls rewrites our understanding of early human capabilities and settles the long-standing debate over the technological sophistication of our ancient ancestors.

Key Takeaways

• Researchers discover 476,000-year-old wooden structures at Kalambo Falls in Zambia.
• Findings challenge prevailing view of Stone Age humans as nomadic and unsophisticated.
• Well-preserved wood shows early humans deliberately crafted logs to fit together.
• Discovery reveals early humans were capable of complex construction and settlement.
• Find rewrites understanding of human evolution and technological development.