Archaeological research conducted by the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University has revealed that humans were constructing wooden structures over 476,000 years ago at Kalambo Falls in Zambia. This groundbreaking discovery challenges previous beliefs about Stone Age lifestyles and highlights the early human capability to settle.
The excavation at Kalambo Falls uncovered remarkably well-preserved wood dating back at least 476,000 years, which predates the evolution of Homo sapiens. By analyzing stone tool cut marks on the wood, experts deduced that early humans shaped and joined two large logs to create a structure, possibly serving as the foundation of a platform or part of a dwelling.
The preservation of these wooden structures at Kalambo Falls was made possible due to the area’s permanently high water levels. This finding challenges the long-held belief that Stone Age humans were entirely nomadic, as the individuals at Kalambo Falls had a perennial water source and sufficient food from the surrounding forest to settle and construct structures.
The dating of these remarkable finds was accomplished using advanced luminescence dating techniques by experts at Aberystwyth University. The ongoing excavation at Kalambo Falls is of great archaeological importance, with the site currently being on UNESCO’s ‘tentative’ list to become a World Heritage site.
This research forms part of the ‘Deep Roots of Humanity’ project, funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council, and involves collaboration with various institutions in Zambia. The significance of the findings at Kalambo Falls lies in providing insights into human evolution, emphasizing the intelligence, imagination, and skills of early humans.
Excitement surrounds the potential for further discoveries that may emerge from the site’s waterlogged sands. The researchers are eagerly awaiting what additional insights this remarkable site may reveal about the history and origins of humanity.
Overall, the excavation at Kalambo Falls in Zambia has shattered previous assumptions about Stone Age lifestyles, shedding light on early human settlement capabilities and adding to our understanding of human evolution. The ongoing research promises to unveil more secrets hidden within the site’s historically significant waters.
