The oldest wooden building in the world was constructed at least 200,000 years before humans.

Early people were already constructing wooden structures around half a million years ago, which is much earlier than previously thought by scholars.

In a study published in Nature, a team of researchers from Aberystwyth University and the University of Liverpool discovered astonishingly well-preserved timber at Zambia's Kalambo Falls.

At least 476,000 years ago, long before modern humans, or Homo sapiens, evolved, the findings were made.

Soon after this find, University of Liverpool Professor Larry Barham and his colleagues discovered a wedge, a digging stick, a tool-cut log, and a branch with a purposeful notch.

Such woodworking goes well beyond what was previously believed to be feasible for early people. The wet circumstances near Kalambo Falls helped to preserve these artefacts.

The "wooden age" and prehistoric humans

Because stone endures across time, the majority of our knowledge about early people comes from stone artefacts. Usually, wood decomposes without leaving any trace.

The only known indications of early human wood use, or woodworking tools, were spears, digging sticks, and fire. A new perspective is added by the Kalambo Falls discoveries.

They demonstrate that some early hominins, possibly Homo heidelbergensis, were capable of joining and shaping logs. This alters our understanding of their aptitude and inventiveness.

"This discovery has altered my perspective on our prehistoric forefathers. Professor Barham exclaimed, "Forget the term 'Stone Age.' Look at what these people were doing: they made something new, and large, out of wood."

"They created something they had never seen before, something that had never existed before, using their skills, intelligence, and imagination."

How to determine the age of old wood

Rare is wood from about half a million years ago. To verify the age, the team needed to use techniques other than the conventional ones.

It is exceedingly difficult to date findings of this great age, so we employed luminescence dating to do this. Professor Geoff Duller of Aberystwyth University remarked, "These new dating techniques have far-reaching implications – allowing us to date much further back in time, to piece together sites that give us a glimpse into human evolution."

"The site at Kalambo Falls was excavated back in the 1960s when similar pieces of wood were recovered, but they were unable to date them, so the true significance of the site was unclear until now."

These dating methods demonstrate that the wooden constructions are from a bygone era. The researchers can see how early humans planned projects, chose materials, and adapted to their surroundings long before modern humans did by precisely putting these artefacts in time.

Why is any of this relevant?

A linear progression from simple to complicated was envisioned by certain earlier perspectives. They argued that early hominins lacked creativity.

That notion is called into question by the discovery of Kalambo Falls. These ancient humans did not simply gather whatever was available. They purposefully moulded the wood to create something sturdy. This suggests preparation and forward-thinking skills.

The finished work is the main focus, not only the equipment they used. Logs were converted into forms that needed knowledge of material properties.

They understood that by cutting and joining specific wood pieces, stable surfaces or supports could be produced. This degree of preparation and activity was taking place much sooner than many

The term "Stone Age" is no longer relevant.

It's possible that referring to that era as the "Stone Age" inadvertently minimised other materials. Our knowledge of prehistory is dominated by stone because it endures.

When wood decays, questions concerning what was formerly common are left unanswered. Wood can only endure for thousands of centuries in certain conditions, such as those at Kalambo Falls.

This website makes it apparent that the outdated labelling could require a review. To survive, early humans probably used a variety of resources. It's possible that a lot of wooden inventions were lost over time due to deterioration.

We now have concrete proof that early hominins relied on more than just stone. Their world was transformed by the wood they used to construct tools, platforms, and other items.

How early people handled wood

Although wood has advantages over stone, it is not as durable. It is simpler to work with and may be formed into a variety of shapes. Wood would have been a known resource for these prehistoric architects.

They knew how to notch branches, which parts to cut, and how to make practical objects. This information suggests that wood has been used for purposes beyond simple things for a very long time.

Their methods of hunting, gathering food, and building homes might have been impacted by their attitude toward wood. The discovery at Kalambo Falls sheds light on activities that are typically hidden away in the past and too distant to recall.

Tools, wood, and the origins of humanity

In conclusion, this new study demonstrates that human culture and technology did not just follow a single path. Long before anyone believed it was possible, people discovered solutions to difficulties.

The wood structure of Kalambo Falls challenges us to consider human potential more adaptably. Early hominins were shrewd enough to modify their surroundings to suit their needs, even in the absence of modern humans and with smaller brains.

This one revelation provides information that assists complete the plot, but it doesn't completely change it. More than just chipping stones, early humans used their surroundings, including wood, to make something useful and long-lasting.

The Kalambo Falls discovery demonstrates that these far-off relatives deserve more recognition than we previously gave them in a society that frequently undervalues them.