Photo Credit: Professor Geoff Duller, Aberystwyth University, shows Professor Larry Barham unveiling the wooden edifice beside a riverbank.
New scientific studies led by the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University have uncovered evidence that humans were building wooden constructions at Kalambo Falls, Zambia, as far back as 476,000 years ago. This discovery, made possible through cutting-edge dating methods, calls into question longstanding assumptions about the nomadic nature of Stone Age human life.
Contrary to previously established timelines, researchers from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University have discovered that human beings were creating edifices from wood approximately half a million years ago. The findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature.
At the archaeological dig site in Kalambo Falls, Zambia, the team unearthed well-preserved wood samples dating back at least 476,000 years, a period preceding the emergence of Homo sapiens.
Archaeological Team Discovery Credit: Professor Larry Barham, University of Liverpool
Upon meticulous examination of tool marks on the wooden pieces, experts determined that these early humans had skillfully cut and assembled two large logs, likely as the foundation for a platform or possibly a portion of a dwelling.
This represents the most ancient verified instance of intentionally shaped logs being joined together, as prior evidences only demonstrated wood’s use for fire, digging tools, or weapons.
Preservation Factors at Kalambo Falls
Typically, wood deteriorates and vanishes over time; however, the high water levels at Kalambo Falls provided a unique environment for wood preservation.
This newly found evidence contradicts the widespread belief that early humans during the Stone Age led exclusively nomadic lives. The discovery suggests that the individuals at Kalambo Falls not only had access to a constant water source but also had sufficient food supply from the surrounding forest to establish semi-permanent settlements and structures.
Professor Larry Barham, who heads the ‘Deep Roots of Humanity’ research initiative from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Archaeology, Classics, and Egyptology stated:
“Our perception of our early forebears has been significantly altered by this discovery. These individuals demonstrated remarkable ingenuity, creativity, and skill to construct something entirely novel. It’s clear that they were adept at altering their environment for their benefit, thereby illustrating an affinity with us that had previously been underestimated.”
Dating the Ancient Artifacts
Specialists at Aberystwyth University utilized innovative luminescence dating methods, focusing on the last exposure of surrounding sand minerals to sunlight, to ascertain the age of these wooden samples.
Professor Geoff Duller of Aberystwyth University remarked:
“Given the age of these artifacts, dating them posed a considerable challenge. Luminescence dating technologies have broadened our capability to chronologically place such sites, offering glimpses into human evolution. The importance of Kalambo Falls has been reconfirmed, particularly since prior excavations in the 1960s could not accurately date similar wooden artifacts.”
Archaeological Importance of Kalambo Falls
Kalambo Falls is located near a 235-meter (772-foot) waterfall on the Zambia-Tanzania border, adjacent to Lake Tanganyika. The site has been marked as a ‘tentative’ candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status due to its archaeological significance.
Professor Duller further added:
“The revelation that the site is far older than initially thought has elevated its archaeological importance, bolstering the argument for its designation as a United Nations World Heritage Site.”
This research is a part of the groundbreaking ‘Deep Roots of Humanity’ project, which is investigating the technological evolution of humans during the Stone Age. The initiative is funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council and involves contributions from Zambia’s National Heritage Conservation Commission, Livingstone Museum, Moto Moto Museum, and the National Museum in Lusaka.
Professor Barham concluded:
“The importance of Kalambo Falls as a significant heritage site for Zambia cannot be overstated. We anticipate further groundbreaking discoveries to come from its uniquely preserved geological conditions.”
Reference: “Evidence for the earliest structural use of wood at least 476,000 years ago” by L. Barham, G. A. T. Duller, et al., published on 20 September 2023, in Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06557-9
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oldest Wooden Structure Discovered
What is the significance of the wooden structure discovered at Kalambo Falls, Zambia?
The discovery of a 476,000-year-old wooden structure at Kalambo Falls, Zambia, represents the oldest known instance of humans constructing wooden edifices. This finding not only predates the emergence of Homo sapiens but also challenges longstanding assumptions about the nomadic nature of early human life during the Stone Age.
Who were the researchers involved in this discovery?
The research was led by a team from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University. Professor Larry Barham from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Archaeology, Classics, and Egyptology spearheaded the ‘Deep Roots of Humanity’ research project that made this discovery.
How was the age of the wooden structure determined?
The age of the wooden artifacts was determined using innovative luminescence dating techniques, conducted by specialists at Aberystwyth University. These techniques focus on the last exposure of surrounding sand minerals to sunlight to ascertain the age of the samples.
What does this discovery reveal about early human lifestyles?
The discovery calls into question the prevailing notion that early humans were exclusively nomadic. The evidence suggests that these early humans had the capability to establish semi-permanent settlements, benefiting from a constant water source and sufficient food supply from the surrounding forest at Kalambo Falls.
What were the previous assumptions about the use of wood in ancient human societies?
Prior to this discovery, evidence for the human use of wood was primarily limited to its applications for fire, digging tools, and spears. This is the first recorded evidence demonstrating the deliberate crafting and joining of logs to construct larger structures.
Why was the wood well-preserved at Kalambo Falls?
Wood usually deteriorates and disappears over time. However, the high water levels at Kalambo Falls provided a unique environment that contributed to the exceptional preservation of the wood.
What is the potential impact of this discovery on the site’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The discovery has heightened the archaeological significance of Kalambo Falls, bolstering the argument for its designation as a United Nations World Heritage Site. The site is currently on a ‘tentative’ list for UNESCO recognition.
What is the ‘Deep Roots of Humanity’ project?
The ‘Deep Roots of Humanity’ is a groundbreaking research initiative funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council. The project aims to investigate how human technology developed in the Stone Age and involves contributions from Zambia’s National Heritage Conservation Commission, Livingstone Museum, Moto Moto Museum, and the National Museum in Lusaka.
How does this discovery alter our perception of early human intelligence and capabilities?
According to Professor Larry Barham, this discovery significantly alters how we think about our early ancestors. These individuals demonstrated remarkable ingenuity, creativity, and skill, effectively altering their environment for their benefit, a trait previously underestimated.
Are there plans for further research and excavation at Kalambo Falls?
Yes, according to Professor Larry Barham, the research team is looking forward to more groundbreaking discoveries emerging from Kalambo Falls, given its uniquely preserved geological conditions.
More about Oldest Wooden Structure Discovered
- University of Liverpool Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology
- Aberystwyth University
- Deep Roots of Humanity Research Project
- Nature Journal
- Zambia’s National Heritage Conservation Commission
- Livingstone Museum
- Moto Moto Museum
- National Museum, Lusaka
- UNESCO Tentative List
- Luminescence Dating Techniques
8 comments
These findings are just…wow! Can you imagine what else we might find if we keep digging? the potential for more discoveries is just so exciting!
So this puts Kalambo Falls on the map. Would be cool if it becomes a UNESCO site cause of this discovery. Fingers crossed.
Reading about how this discovery changes our perception of early human life is just amazing. Hats off to the researchers for shedding new light on our ancient history.
Mind blowing! Always thought early humans were just simple folks, but this… This is revolutionary. They were way more advanced than we give em credit for.
Gotta say, its about time we rethought the “stone age” label. These folks were far from just chipping away at rocks, they were engineers in their own right.
Wow, this is a game changer. who knew that our ancestors were capable of such complex construction? totally changes the way we look at the stone age.
Can’t believe the wood survived all this time. It’s like nature itself wanted us to discover this and rethink our past.
Really impressed by the dating techniques used. i mean, determining the age of something that old has gotta be incredibly difficult.