Research from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University has revealed that humans were constructing wooden structures at Kalambo Falls in Zambia 476,000 years ago. The discovery, dated using advanced technology, highlights the sedentary capabilities of early humans and challenges previous notions about Stone Age lifestyles.
Humans were building wooden structures 500,000 years ago, earlier than previously thought, according to new research by a team from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University.
Research published in journals Nature, Report on the excavation of well-preserved wood at the Kalambo Falls site in Zambia that dates back at least 476,000 years and predates the evolution of humans. seed, homo sapiens.
Experts’ analysis of stone tool cuts in the wood shows that early humans formed two large logs and joined them together to create a structure that probably served as a base for a pedestal or part of a dwelling. It is shown.
This is the world’s oldest evidence that logs were intentionally assembled and processed. Until now, evidence of human use of wood was limited to making fires and digging sticks and spears.
Kalambo Falls Protection
Wood is rarely found at ancient sites like this, as it often rots and disappears, but at Kalambo Falls, the permanently high water level preserved the wood.
This discovery challenges the commonly held view that Stone Age humans were nomads. At Kalambo Falls, these hominins not only had a permanent water source, but the surrounding forest provided enough food for them to settle and build structures.
Professor Larry Barham, from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Archeology, Classics and Egypt, who is leading the Deep Roots of Humanity research project, said:
“This discovery has changed the way we think about our early ancestors. Forget about the ‘Stone Age’ label and look at what these people were doing. They made something new and big out of wood. They used their intelligence, imagination, and skill to create things that had never been seen before or existed before. ”
“They changed their surroundings to make life easier, even if it was just building a platform to sit on by the river to do their daily chores. They looked more like us than they ever did.”
Dating finds
Professional dating of the finds was carried out by experts from Aberystwyth University.
They determined its age using a new luminescent dating technique that reveals when the minerals in the sand surrounding the find were last exposed to sunlight.
Professor Geoff Darragh from Aberystwyth University said:
“Dating finds during this great era is extremely difficult, and we used luminescence dating to do this. These new dating methods have far-reaching implications. This makes it possible to date far back into the past and piece together sites that offer a glimpse into human evolution. , the true significance of this site was unknown until now, as it could not be dated.
Archaeological significance of Kalambo Falls
Kalambo Falls on the Kalambo River sits atop a 235-meter (772-foot) waterfall on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, on the border of Zambia and Tanzania’s Rukwa region. Due to its archaeological importance, the area is on UNESCO’s “tentative” list of World Heritage Sites.
Professor Dollar added:
“Our research proves that this site is much older than previously thought, further increasing its archaeological importance. It should be a United Nations World Heritage Site. This gives further weight to the claim.”
The research forms part of the pioneering Deep Roots of Humanity project, which investigates how human technology developed during the Stone Age. The project is funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council and includes teams from the Zambia National Heritage Conservation Board, Livingstone Museum, Motomoto Museum and Lusaka National Museum.
Professor Barham added:
“Kalambo Falls is a special place and a major heritage site in Zambia. The Deep Roots team looks forward to more exciting discoveries emerging from the waterlogged sands.”
Reference: “Evidence for the earliest structural use of wood at least 476,000 years ago” L. Barham, GAT Duller, I. Candy, C. Scott, CR Cartwright, JR Peterson, C. Kabukcu, MS Chapot, F. Melia , V. Lotz, N. George, N. Taipare, P. Gesin, P. Nkombwe, September 20, 2023, Nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06557-9