The Oldest Wooden Structure: A Half Million-Year-Old Discovery

🌳Wood found at Colombo Falls in Zambia is almost half a million years old, making it the oldest known wooden structure.

🔨The wood shows signs of human shaping, including cut marks and tapered ends, indicating early humans' tool use.

🌍The discovery provides valuable insights into the activities and capabilities of early humans.

📸Advanced underwater photography and 3D modeling techniques were used to analyze and preserve the wooden artifacts.

🏭Experimental archaeology helped researchers understand the tools and techniques used to shape the wood.

How old is the wooden structure discovered at Colombo Falls?

—The wooden structure discovered at Colombo Falls is almost half a million years old, making it the oldest known wooden structure.

What evidence indicates human shaping of the wood?

—The wood shows signs of human shaping, including cut marks and tapered ends, providing evidence of early humans' tool use.

What insights does this discovery provide about early humans?

—The discovery provides valuable insights into the activities and capabilities of early humans, including their use of tools and their ability to shape and use wood.

What techniques were used to analyze and preserve the wooden artifacts?

—Advanced underwater photography and 3D modeling techniques were used to analyze and preserve the wooden artifacts discovered at Colombo Falls.

How did experimental archaeology contribute to understanding the wood shaping techniques?

—Experimental archaeology helped researchers understand the tools and techniques used to shape the wood, providing insight into the skills and capabilities of early humans.

00:03In 2019, researchers discovered a half million-year-old wooden structure at Colombo Falls in Zambia.

01:57The wood shows signs of human shaping, including cut marks and tapered ends, indicating early humans' tool use.

03:18The wooden structure discovered is almost half a million years old, making it the oldest known wooden structure.

04:22Advanced underwater photography and 3D modeling techniques were used to analyze and preserve the wooden artifacts.

05:39Experimental archaeology helped researchers understand the tools and techniques used to shape the wood.