World's oldest human-built structure is found in Africa

British and African archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest human-built structure in southern Africa. It was made by a now long-extinct species of prehistoric human, around half a million years ago

- DAVID KEYS

Made of worked timber, it is likely that it was built as an elevated trackway across marshland – or as a raised platform in the middle of a wetland area, perhaps as part of a hunting base or butchery facility. It was unearthed in waterlogged ground in northern Zambia – and is at least twice as old as any other known human-made structure. The discovery is likely to change archaeologists’ understanding of the evolution of early human technology and cognitive ability.

The elevated timber trackway or platform was just a small part of a prehistoric human presence on the southern bank of the Kalambo River. It was found just a few hundred metres upstream from two of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders – a 235-metre-high waterfall and a 300-metre-deep canyon.

It is likely that the falls and the unusually varied local topography were indirectly responsible for attracting early human hunter-gatherers to the area, including the world’s first construction “engineers” and carpenters.

Immediately upstream from the falls is a large and fertile flood plain which would have featured marshland, small lakes, minor waterways and riverine woodland as well as the main river. Woodland, with other tree species, would have covered the hillslopes adjacent to the flood plain.