Timber structure built by pre-sapiens carpenters was discovered by researchers

The world's oldest known timber structure was excavated at Kalambo Falls in Zambia. Archaeologists found this structure, which was constructed by humans prior to the emergence of Homo sapiens as a distinct species. It has been dated to at least 476,000 years ago, predating the appearance of Homo sapiens by approximately 200,000 years. A thorough examination by experts indicates that these early humans shaped and joined two sizable logs to create a structure, likely serving as a foundation or a part of a dwelling.

This discovery represents the earliest evidence of carpentry found anywhere in the world. Normally, wood deteriorates and vanishes over time, but the elevated water levels at Kalambo Falls played a crucial role in maintaining this remarkable structure. The finding, made by a collaborative team from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University in the UK, also challenges the prevailing notion that Stone Age humans were entirely nomadic. The people at Kalambo Falls had a dependable water source and access to the forest, enabling them to settle and construct such wooden structures.

Liverpool Professor Larry Barham, reflecting on the discovery, remarked, "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 further emphasized, " These folks were more like us than we thought." Meanwhile, experts at Aberystwyth University utilized innovative luminescence dating techniques to determine the last time minerals in the surrounding sand were exposed to sunlight.

Aberystwyth Professor Geoff Duller noted that "the site at Kalambo Falls had been excavated back in the 1960s when similar pieces of wood were recovered, but they were unable to date them, so the true significance of the site was unclear until now."

As a result of its archaeological significance, the area is currently on a "tentative" list for UNESCO World Heritage site designation, and Duller pointed out that this discovery further strengthens the case for its official recognition as such.