“This find has changed how I think about our early ancestors.”
Wood Deeds
Archaeologists from Europe and Africa have uncovered the oldest wood structure ever discovered, dating back almost half a million years — meaning an unknown species of hominins, predating us homo sapiens, was presumably responsible for its creation.
The researchers laid out their findings in a recent paper in the science journal Nature where they reported that they had found the wood structure of “two interlocking logs joined transversely by an intentionally cut notch” at a site in Kalambo Falls, Zambia, and dated it to a distant 476,000 years ago. At the same location, which the scientists say was likely the foundation for a dwelling or platform, they also found four tools fashioned from wood: a digging stick, a cut log, a wedge, and notched branch, each also dating to before the time of modern humans.
“This find has changed how I think about our early ancestors,” said University of Liverpool archaeology professor and the paper’s lead author Larry Barham in a statement. “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.”
Handy Man
The wood was preserved because Kalambo Falls kept the pieces permanently waterlogged, hence sealing them away from oxygen and oxygen-dependant bacteria that would degrade them. The finding is particularly significant because wood has rarely been preserved from the Early Stone Age — offering an ultra-rare peek into the lives of our distant ancestors.
Besides the exciting discovery of the wooden objects themselves, the researcher said that the finding paints a more complex picture of their lives; that these hominins were perhaps not nomadic and instead spent a sustained period of time living in the area, long enough to make a structure from the surrounding forests and draw fresh water from the falls.
These early hominins weren’t the only ones attracted to the locale. Kalambo Falls later became a site for homo sapien occupation, and a rich treasure trove of archaeological findings from the Stone Age and onward. Its significance is so great that it’s even being considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Surely the discovery the oldest wooden man-made structure should vault it to the official list, cementing its importance to our understanding of human evolution.
More on early man: Pre-Human Species Carved Symbols More Than 200,000 Years Ago
—
Title: Archaeologists Discover Oldest Wooden Structure, Shedding Light on Early Human Ingenuity
Subtitle: Unearthing a Primitive Dwelling and Tools in Kalambo Falls, Zambia
Date: [Current date]
Archaeologists from Europe and Africa recently made an astounding discovery in Kalambo Falls, Zambia. They have uncovered the oldest wood structure ever found, dating back nearly half a million years. This groundbreaking finding suggests the existence of an unknown species of hominins that predates Homo sapiens and challenges our understanding of early human civilization.
In a recent publication in the prestigious science journal Nature, the researchers detailed their findings. They identified a wood structure consisting of “two interlocking logs joined transversely by an intentionally cut notch” at the excavation site. Through meticulous analysis, the structure was dated to a staggering 476,000 years ago. Furthermore, the team also unearthed four wooden tools—a digging stick, a cut log, a wedge, and a notched branch—each predating the time of modern humans.
University of Liverpool archaeology professor and lead author of the paper, Larry Barham, expressed his awe at the discovery, remarking, “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.”
The preservation of wood at Kalambo Falls is remarkable. Thanks to the site’s unique conditions, the pieces remained permanently waterlogged, effectively sealing them away from oxygen and bacteria that would typically degrade organic materials. As a result, this discovery offers an exceptional glimpse into the lives and culture of our distant ancestors during the Early Stone Age, a period for which very few remnants have survived.
Beyond the significance of the wooden objects themselves, this finding sheds light on the lifestyles of these ancient hominins. The researchers suggest that they were likely not nomadic but rather lived in the area for an extended period. This theory is supported by the construction of a structure from the surrounding forests and the ability to rely on the nearby falls for a fresh water source.
Interestingly, the allure of Kalambo Falls extended beyond early hominins. Subsequently, the site became occupied by Homo sapiens and continued to yield archaeological treasures from the Stone Age and subsequent eras. Its enduring importance has led to considerations for it to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Undoubtedly, the discovery of the oldest wooden man-made structure further solidifies the site’s significance. Its inclusion on the official list would cement its paramount role in enhancing our understanding of human evolution and the remarkable ingenuity of our early ancestors.
[End of News Article]