The Economic Times

In the 1950s, J. Desmond Clark found a notched log at Zambias Kalambo Falls but died without proving its age; 60 years later, dating revealed the worlds oldest wooden structure at 476,000 years

In the 1950s, archaeologist J. Desmond Clark discovered a notched log at Zambias Kalambo Falls. He died without ever proving its true age. Sixty years later, advanced luminescence dating uncovered the extraordinary truth. The shaped logs are 476,000 years old, making them the worlds oldest wooden structure. Built long before modern humans evolved, this remarkable discovery completely rewrites our understanding of ancient engineering and early human history.