Humans were building wooden structures earlier than previously thought

The humans They were already building wooden structures half a million years ago, earlier than previously believed, according to a new study carried out by experts from the universities of Liverpool (north of England) and Aberystwyth (Wales) released this Wednesday.

The research, published in the scientific publication “Nature”reports on findings made during the excavation of a well-preserved wooden archaeological area at Kalambo Falls, Zambia, which dates back at least 476,000 years and predates the evolution of our species, Homo Spiens.

Analysis of marks on the wood made by stone tools show that these humans shaped and joined two large sticks to create a structure, probably what was the base of a platform or part of a dwelling.

This is the earliest evidence anywhere in the world of deliberate craftsmanship with sticks to fit together.

Until now, the available evidence of the use of wood by humans was limited to its use for making fire, and for making digging sticks and spears.

The study notes that although wood is rarely found in these areas and typically rots and disappears, in this case the permanently high waters at Kalambo Falls have preserved it.

This discovery questions, according to experts, the view that Stone Age humans were nomadic, since in Kalambo Falls they not only had a perennial water source, but the surrounding forest provided them with enough food to survive. to be able to settle and build structures.

According to Larry Barham, from the Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology at the English University of Liverpool, leader of the study “Deep roots of Humanity”this finding “It has changed how we think about our early ancestors.”

“Let’s forget the ‘Stone Age’ label, let’s look at what these people were doing: they were doing something new and great with wood. They used their intelligence, his imagination and his abilities to create something that had never been seen before, something that had never existed before.”indicated the expert.

The dating of the finds was carried out by experts from Aberystwyth University, who used techniques that reveal the last time the minerals and sand surrounding the finds were exposed to sunlight to determine their age.

Source: EFE