World's Most Ancient Wooden Structure Discovered in Africa - 476,000 Years Old!

In the heart of Africa, Archaeologists have discovered the oldest evidence yet of a wooden structure crafted by the hands of a human ancestor. Two tree trunks, notched like Lincoln Logs, were discovered at the bottom of Zambia's Kalambo River. If the logs' estimated age of 476,000 years is correct, it means that woodworking predates the emergence of our own species, Homo sapiens, and demonstrates the intelligence of our hominin ancestors.

Archaeologists discovered the logs at Kalambo Falls, on Lake Tanganyika in northern Zambia near the Tanzanian border, a site that has been studied by scientists since the 1950s. Previous excavations near the falls yielded stone tools, preserved pollen, and wooden artifacts that have helped researchers learn more about human evolution and culture over hundreds of thousands of years.

A new analysis of five modified pieces of wood from Kalambo, however, is pushing back the site's earliest occupation and providing researchers with new insight into the minds of our Middle Pleistocene ancestors.

Researchers describe the wooden objects they discovered in a recently published new study. Two were discovered with stone tools below the river and three were discovered covered in clay deposits above the river level. Because of the permanently elevated water table, these wooden artifacts have survived for hundreds of thousands of years.

SOURCE:

'Evidence for the earliest structural use of wood at least 476,000 years ago'

[oldschoolman]

It seems to me that our ancestors have always been underestimated in their abilities.

[louiechidwick]

Hi mate, greetings from the edge of Doggerland, North Norfolk, England, UK.
The building of wooden structures by Paleolithic hominins is something that I've always thought was very possible. Yes, it would have been nice to get some weather protection in the wet seasons but given the fact that most predator attacks would have happened under the cover of darkness and sleeping hominins out in the open must have resembled an 'all you can eat buffet' to any lurking predators, I think the primary function of a large communal structure would have been defensive.

[charlesspeaksthetruth]

More evidence that civilization is way older than previously believed and has it's origins in Africa.

[francorepici]

Do we ever consider that for all the caves that we find human remains in that the majority of ancient humans lived in such wooden structures? Only just so many caves to go around.

[robertfletcher]

For our ancient ancestors to be able to build shelters and platforms, they would have to have a fundamental knowledge of physics. Once something was discovered, say a wood joint, it would have to be passed on to the next generation. With language not grunts, A bigger structure a bigger joint like wise a smaller one. New ideas are discovered, not rediscovered, otherwise we are left in the same place,

[russellamaru]

Very interesting! More evidence on just how smart our ancient ancestors really were at thinking and acting in a constructive manner.

[susanfarley]

I hope people are happy now, to know their ancestors were smart little buggers. One can be proud of of our ancestors.

[tonkatoytruck]

Why am I not surprised? We place so much value on stone tools, but IMO, wood and bone would be the technology that I would use to make tools and hunting implements. Easier to make, easier to access the basic materials, are lighter, and can be made fairly quickly, no matter the location. So, IMO, the whole basis for many theories on tool making is flawed. Once again, the arrogance of paleoanthropologists has crippled its so called science.

[whiskeytango]

This only makes sense. I cannot imagine how, even in caves, hominids would not be building cots and other structures to make life there safer and more comfortable. Chimps and gorillas make nests to sleep in. I can imagine a Neanderthal occupied cave full of wooden cots, perhaps something at the entrance to hold in heat and reduce the chances of animals getting in. I know that if I lived in a cave, for generations...it would be made comfortable.

[BFjordsman]

Might not have been sapiens but they were still humans why would we expect anything less

[stephG]

Thank you for sharing - I’d love to understand why “scientist “ really don’t understand logic of course they made shelters they have the same size brain as us probably actually ate better then us and have human strengths and ingenuity even if they were the proto humans 🌟🌟 would love to see
More if this ❤

[ciskederat]

Maybe boat maybe land tool or stone tool or for catching food or piece of house just suggestion

[lesliesylvan]

Keep digging and sharing multi-disciplines, in the search of Our early ancestors 🐵

[mikeeddings]

Its not a family tree of humanity, its a bush.

[sweorfan]

So much in the archaeological world is being turned upside down these days… I’m thinking of the archaeology world going out of their ever loving minds trying to torpedo Dr. Lee Berger’s South African find — Homo naledi — and the Cerutti find in San Diego, California.

What I’d like to know: Could we Homo sapiens actually be older than the ‘experts’ say?

[tobywestfall]

That's a no brainer.. If you can make a Stone spear.
You have to The mental capacity to make a wooden house

[freefall]

Interesting. There appears to be a big difference between Erectus and Neanderthals.

[alanschneider]

Seems like crosses have been around for a long time.

[chrismcaulay]

sigh... the idea that early humans (this Hominin term is stupid, they where human, just not modern human) would work something a tough as stone, and NOT work something much easier to work (wood) that is also much more readily available is crazy to me...

The discovery is interesting only because the wood made it a long time, not because they worked said wood...

[charlesbrown]

⁠ Definitely! Alpha betic writing is not invented until circa 6, 000 years ago . The Stone Age was 2.5 million years long ! There was cave drawings, landmarks ( natural geological features used as symbols), et al. ; in general Indigenous knowledge literally embedded in the land. So, the vast majority was verbal, as you say, and music and dance, etc. all symbolic communication systems.