British archaeologists from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University have uncovered what is now regarded as the oldest wooden structure known to science. The timber, aged at least 467 thousand years, was found near Kalambo Falls in Zambia, and the discovery is detailed in a study published in Nature. This finding reshapes our understanding of early human activity, suggesting that people of the Lower Paleolithic were capable of planning, constructing, and preserving wooden architecture in a way that had lasting impact on their living arrangements.
Close examination of the stone tool marks on the wood reveals that early builders cut and fastened two substantial logs to create a platform or a sheltered area, likely serving as a foundational element of a dwelling or a stable living surface by the river. The precision of the marks indicates deliberate shaping and joining, not merely accidental use of fallen timber. The evidence points to an intentional construction method, illustrating early experimentation with shelter and space management in a riverside environment.
What makes this find stand out is its status as the oldest identified example of intentional log production and joining. Previously, surviving references to wood use by Paleolithic communities were tied mainly to the manufacture of basic tools for fire, hunting, or manipulating soil. Wood tends to decay rapidly in the archaeological record, making Kalambo Falls exceptional; exceptionally consistent high water levels over time helped preserve the timber and the assembly techniques that created the platform.
The discovery also invites a reevaluation of how Paleolithic groups lived. Rather than a purely nomadic lifestyle, the Kalambo Falls site suggests a strategy of settling near reliable water sources and using the surrounding forest to supply nourishment and materials for building. The river provided a lifeline, while the forest offered resources that could be transformed into shelter and daily-use spaces, enabling longer occupation of a favorable locale.
“This discovery altered my understanding of our early ancestors. We can see them shaping their surroundings to ease daily life; they built a platform by the river where people could gather and perform routine activities. These early builders appear more similar to us than we might have expected,” stated Larry Barham, a professor of archaeology, reflecting on the broader implications of the find for human behavioral evolution.
Earlier archaeologists have described other remarkable sites as well, including discoveries in Germany that correlate with the presence of an ancient city near a location later earmarked for a microchip factory, underscoring how modern industrial contexts can sit atop deep histories.