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Originally Posted by 21 Sept 2023, AFP, ABC
Archaeologists say they have unearthed the oldest wooden structure ever discovered, dating from nearly half a million years ago, which suggests that our ancestors may have been more advanced than previously thought.
The exceptionally well-preserved wooden structure was found at Kalambo Falls in the north of Zambia, near the border with Tanzania.
It dates back at least 476,000 years, well before the evolution of Homo sapiens, according to a study describing the find in the journal Nature.
The wood bears cut-marks showing that stone tools were used to join two large logs to make the structure, which is believed to be a platform, walkway or raised dwelling to keep our relatives above the water.
A collection of wooden tools, including a wedge and a digging stick, were also discovered at the site.
The ancestors of humans were already known to use wood at this time, but for limited purposes such as starting a fire or hunting.
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Full story here at ABC :-
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-...mbia/102882164
Nature story :-
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02928-4
Full open access paper at Nature :-
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06557-9