Ancient Wooden Structure Unearthed in Zambia Sheds Light on Early Human Woodworking

Archaeologists have discovered a wooden structure dating back almost half a million years on the banks of a river in Zambia, challenging previous beliefs about ancient human life. The find suggests that stone-age people built shelters and demonstrates their intelligence, imagination, and skills in creating something new. The researchers also uncovered ancient wooden tools, including digging sticks, and two pieces of wood with notches cut into them, indicating the use of stone tools. The logs, preserved in waterlogged conditions, were dated to be approximately 476,000 years old. The purpose and the species of the ancient humans who built the structure remain unclear. The artifacts will be returned to Zambia for display and further study.
- Half-million-year-old wooden structure unearthed in Zambia BBC
- Evidence for the earliest structural use of wood at least 476,000 years ago Nature.com
- Ancient Logs Offer Earliest Example of Human Woodworking The New York Times
- This simple log structure may be the oldest example of early humans building with wood The Associated Press
- ‘Oldest wooden structure’ discovered on border of Zambia and Tanzania The Guardian
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