half-million-year-old wooden structure discovered

2023-09-20 18:47:00

Excavations led to the discovery of pieces of wood in what is now Zambia. – Credit:LARRY BARHAM / Liverpool University / AFP

Archaeologists have unearthed the oldest wooden structure ever fashioned by humans, nearly half a million years old, a complex construction that assumes advanced technical abilities among early humans, according to a study published Wednesday . Exceptionally well preserved, the structure was discovered at the prehistoric site of Kalambo Falls in what is now Zambia, and dates back at least 476,000 years, before the supposed appearance of our own species, A wise man.

It consists of two interlocking logs, connected transversely by a notch intentionally made to build a structure, probably the foundation of a raised platform, a passage or a habitat, according to the study published in Nature. A collection of wooden tools, including a digging stick, was also unearthed at the site.

From the first excavations to the 20th century

The use of wood by man at such ancient ages had already been proven, but for a limited use: making fire or sharpening sticks for hunting or gathering. The oldest wooden structure known to date dates back only 9,000 years, explains to AFP Larry Barham, professor at the British University of Liverpool and first author of the study.

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The archaeologist did not expect to find such a treasure while excavating the prehistoric site of Kalambo, located on the edge of […] Read more

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