In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have uncovered what may be the oldest evidence of early humans building with wood. Located in Zambia, the remains of this Stone Age structure provide a rare glimpse into the architectural prowess of our ancient ancestors.
The nearly half-million-year-old structure consists of two overlapping logs meticulously fitted with a notch. Typically, wood deteriorates rapidly when exposed to natural elements, leaving scant traces of its historical usage. However, these logs were preserved, having been submerged in a river. Distinctive signs of human craftsmanship, such as carved notches and tool marks, remain visible on the logs.
Larry Barham, Professor of African Archaeology at the University of Liverpool, expressed his astonishment at the discovery. "You could see the individual chop marks. It's extraordinary. Everything looks so fresh you think, 'it cannot be this old'," he remarked.
Determining the age of the structure posed a significant challenge. Traditional dating techniques proved inadequate. However, researchers employed a novel method known as luminescence dating, which utilises tiny minerals in the sand to estimate the duration materials have been buried.
The team, led by Barham, excavated the log structure and several wooden tools from a riverbed site above a Zambian waterfall. The crossed logs might have been the foundation for a more extensive construction, perhaps a walkway or platform. Such architectural innovations from this era are unprecedented.
The structure predates the emergence of Homo sapiens, suggesting it was crafted by another early human species, possibly Homo heidelbergensis, prevalent in Africa during that period. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the capabilities of Stone Age humans, painting them as more advanced than previously believed.
"It's what I call a disruptive discovery," Barham noted. "They can transform their environment. They can build things that are lasting. That's new."
Previously, it was believed that these early humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers. However, this structure indicates they established more permanent settlements, altering our understanding of their lifestyles.
The nearly half-million-year-old structure consists of two overlapping logs meticulously fitted with a notch. Typically, wood deteriorates rapidly when exposed to natural elements, leaving scant traces of its historical usage. However, these logs were preserved, having been submerged in a river. Distinctive signs of human craftsmanship, such as carved notches and tool marks, remain visible on the logs.
Larry Barham, Professor of African Archaeology at the University of Liverpool, expressed his astonishment at the discovery. "You could see the individual chop marks. It's extraordinary. Everything looks so fresh you think, 'it cannot be this old'," he remarked.
Determining the age of the structure posed a significant challenge. Traditional dating techniques proved inadequate. However, researchers employed a novel method known as luminescence dating, which utilises tiny minerals in the sand to estimate the duration materials have been buried.
The team, led by Barham, excavated the log structure and several wooden tools from a riverbed site above a Zambian waterfall. The crossed logs might have been the foundation for a more extensive construction, perhaps a walkway or platform. Such architectural innovations from this era are unprecedented.
The structure predates the emergence of Homo sapiens, suggesting it was crafted by another early human species, possibly Homo heidelbergensis, prevalent in Africa during that period. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the capabilities of Stone Age humans, painting them as more advanced than previously believed.
"It's what I call a disruptive discovery," Barham noted. "They can transform their environment. They can build things that are lasting. That's new."
Previously, it was believed that these early humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers. However, this structure indicates they established more permanent settlements, altering our understanding of their lifestyles.
