Earliest evidence of buildings made from wood is 476,000 years old (2023)
6 hours ago
- #Human Evolution
- #Ancient Technology
- #Archaeology
- Ancient humans built large wooden structures, possibly houses, nearly 500,000 years ago, suggesting less nomadic lifestyles than previously thought.
- Discovery at Kalambo Falls, Zambia, includes a 1.4-meter-long log with a tool-made notch, interlocking with another log, indicating sophisticated wooden construction.
- Dating techniques show the structure was built about 476,000 years ago, predating Homo sapiens, possibly by Homo heidelbergensis.
- Unlike portable wooden tools found elsewhere, this structure suggests some early humans were settling and modifying their environment.
- The construction required planning, tool use, and possibly language, showcasing advanced cognitive abilities.
- The exact purpose of the structure is unclear, but it might have been a dwelling or walkway to avoid wet conditions.
- This discovery challenges the notion of the Stone Age, hinting at a 'Wood Age' due to wood's significance in early human life.