Kalambo, Archaeological site at Kalambo Falls, Zambia.
Kalambo is an archaeological site located at a waterfall along the Kalambo River near the border between Zambia and Tanzania. Two shaped wooden logs lie where a structure once stood over damp ground or a river crossing.
The wooden construction dates from approximately 476,000 years ago, long before Homo sapiens walked the earth. Researchers used scientific dating methods to establish its age and revise earlier assumptions about human building activity.
Local communities and researchers visit this location to witness physical evidence of construction activity that predates modern humans. The finds here have shifted how people understand the technical abilities of early ancestors who shaped wood for practical purposes.
Access to the site involves unpaved paths near the waterfall, so visitors should prepare for uneven and possibly wet terrain. Sturdy footwear and enough time to explore the surrounding area are advisable.
The tools recovered here display techniques for cutting, chopping and scraping wood into desired forms. A wooden wedge is among the preserved finds that document deliberate use of natural materials for building.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
