AssetID: 53062219
Headline: World's Oldest Human-Made Wooden Structure Discovered In Zambia
Caption: Researchers from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University have discovered the oldest wooden structure created by humans. Their groundbreaking find, published in the journal Nature, stems from excavations at the Kalambo Falls archaeological site in Zambia. It dates back at least 476,000 years, predating the emergence of our own species, Homo sapiens. Expert examination of stone tool cut-marks on the wood indicates that these early hominids skillfully shaped and joined two substantial logs, likely laying the foundation for a platform or a segment of a dwelling. This finding represents the earliest evidence globally of deliberate wood crafting by human ancestors. Prior to this discovery, evidence of wood use by early humans was primarily associated with its role in fire-making, crafting digging sticks, and fashioning spears. Wood is rarely encountered at such ancient archaeological sites due to its susceptibility to rot and decay. However, at Kalambo Falls, consistently high water levels have preserved the wood. This revelation challenges the conventional belief that Stone Age humans led nomadic lives. At Kalambo Falls, these early humans not only had access to a perennial water source but also found sustenance in the surrounding forest, enabling them to establish settlements and create wooden structures. Professor Larry Barham, leading the 'Deep Roots of Humanity' research project at the University of Liverpool, says: "This find has changed how I think about our early ancestors. 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." He emphasised that these early humans transformed their environment to enhance their daily lives, resembling us more closely than previously thought. The precise dating of these finds was carried out by specialists at Aberystwyth University using innovative luminescence dating techniques, which determine the last time minerals in the surrounding sand were exposed to sunlight. Professor Geoff Duller from the Welsh institution explained: "Dating finds of this age is highly challenging, and we employed luminescence dating to achieve this. These new dating methods have far-reaching implications, allowing us to trace human history further back in time and gain insights into human evolution." He also highlighted that the site at Kalambo Falls had been excavated in the 1960s when similar wooden pieces were unearthed but couldn't be accurately dated, rendering the site's significance unclear until now. Situated on the Kalambo River, overlooking a 235-metre (772-foot) waterfall on the Zambia-Tanzania border, near Lake Tanganyika, the Kalambo Falls site is presently on UNESCO's 'tentative' list for World Heritage status due to its archaeological importance. Professor Duller added: "Our research confirms that this site is much older than previously believed, amplifying its archaeological significance. This bolsters the case for its designation as a United Nations World Heritage Site." T his research forms part of the pioneering 'Deep Roots of Humanity' project, which delves into the evolution of human technology during the Stone Age. The project receives funding from the UK's Arts and Humanities Research Council and involves collaboration with Zambia's National Heritage Conservation Commission, Livingstone Museum, Moto Moto Museum, and the National Museum, Lusaka. Professor Barham concluded: "Kalambo Falls is an extraordinary site and a significant heritage asset for Zambia. The Deep Roots team eagerly anticipates further exciting discoveries emerging from its waterlogged sands."
Keywords: university of liverpool,archaeology,stone age,wood,humans,history,photo,feature,science
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