Research from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University shows that humans were building wooden structures at Kalambo Falls in Zambia 476,000 years ago. The discovery, dated using advanced technology, highlights the ability of early humans to settle and challenges previous ideas about Stone Age lifestyles.

Professor Larry Barham (pictured right) uses a fine mist of water to uncover wooden structures on the river bank. Source: Professor Geoff Duller, Aberystwyth University

New research by a team from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University suggests that humans were building wooden structures as early as 500,000 years ago, earlier than previously thought.

The study, published in the journal Nature, describes well-preserved wood excavated at the Kalambo Falls archaeological site in Zambia that dates back to at least 476,000 years ago, predating the evolution of our species, Homo sapiens.

Excavation teams are uncovering the wooden structures. Source: Professor Larry Barham, University of Liverpool

Expert analysis of stone tool cut marks on the wood shows that these early humans shaped and joined two large logs to form a structure that was likely the foundation of a platform or part of a dwelling.

This is the earliest evidence anywhere in the world that people consciously worked logs into structures that were joined together. Prior to this, evidence of human use of wood was limited to fire making, digging sticks, and spears.

Wedge-shaped wood chips. Source: Professor Larry Barham, University of Liverpool

Calambo Falls provide a unique conservation environment

Timber is rarely found in such ancient sites because it usually decays and disappears, but at Kalambo Falls, it was preserved due to long-term high water levels.

The discovery challenges the common view that Stone Age humans were nomadic. At Kalambo Falls, these humans not only had a year-round source of water, but the surrounding forest also provided them with enough food to enable them to settle down and build structures.

Excavation teams are uncovering wooden structures. Image source: Professor Larry Barham, University of Liverpool

Professor Larry Barham from the Department of Archeology, Classics and Egyptology at the University of Liverpool is the leader of the "Deep Roots of Humanity" research project:

"This discovery changed the way I think about our early ancestors. Forget the 'Stone Age' label and look at what these people were doing: They made something new and big out of wood. They used their intelligence, imagination and skills to create things they had never seen before, that had never existed before. They transformed their surroundings to make life easier, even if it was just a platform by the river to sit on and do daily chores. These people were more like us than we think."


The wooden structure shows traces of cuts made by Stone Age humans in the wood. Source: Professor Larry Barham, University of Liverpool

Dating finds

The finds have been expertly dated by experts from Aberystwyth University. They used new luminescence dating technology, which can reveal the last time minerals in the sand surrounding the finds were exposed to sunlight, thus determining their age.

Professor Geoff Duller from Aberystwyth University said: "Dating unearthed artefacts at such an ancient age is very challenging, so we used luminescence dating. These new dating methods have far-reaching implications - allowing us to date even further back. "The Kalambo Falls site was excavated as early as the 1960s, and similar wood fragments were found, but they were unable to date them, so the true significance of the site is unknown until now."

Discovering wood at Kalambo Falls in Zambia. Source: Professor Geoff Duller, Aberystwyth University

Archaeological significance of Kalambo Falls

The ruins of Kalambo Falls on the Kalambo River are located above a 235-meter (772-foot) waterfall on the edge of Lake Tanganyika on the border of Zambia and the Rukwa region of Tanzania. Due to its archaeological significance, the area has been included in UNESCO's "tentative" list of World Heritage sites.

Professor Durer added: "Our research proves that this site is much older than previously thought, making its archaeological significance even greater. This adds further weight to the argument that it should become a United Nations World Heritage Site. Kalambo Falls is a remarkable attraction and an important heritage asset for Zambia. The Roots and Leaves team look forward to making more exciting discoveries from its water-filled silt."

The research is part of the groundbreaking 'Human Roots' project, which investigates how human technology developed during the Stone Age. The project was funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council and involved teams from Zambia's National Heritage Conservation Board, Livingstone Museum, Motorcycle Museum and Lusaka National Museum.