Culture

Archeologists discover world’s oldest wooden structure in Zambia

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2023

Archaeologists working in Zambia have uncovered the world’s oldest wooden structure dating back to 476,000 years ago.

The discovery, according to the leader of the team, Larry Barham, an archaeologist at the University of Liverpool, suggests that “human ancestors had built structures made of wood and may have been more complex than previously thought.”

The wooden structure, a pair of interlocking logs connected by a notch, was discovered along the Kalambo River in Zambia, with the details published in the journal, Nature, last week.

“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,” the publication reads.

“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. It dates back at least 476,000 years before the evolution of Homo Sapiens.

“The ancestors of humans were already known to use wood at this time, but for limited purposes such as starting a fire or hunting”, it adds.

Barham said that to his knowledge, the previous record-holder for oldest wooden structure dated back around 9,000 years.

He added that the structure was a “chance discovery” made in 2019 while excavating at the site located on the banks of the Kalambo River, above 770-foot waterfall.

“Discoveries involving such ancient wood are rare, because it tends to rot leaving behind little trace for the historical record. But the high level of water at Kalambo Falls is believed to have preserved the structure over the centuries,” he said.

Related Topics:Discovery Featured Wooden Structure Zambia

Click to comment

Culture

Ghanaian TikToker’s longest eating marathon attempt blocked by GWR

Published

9 hours ago

November 8, 2024

Isaac Dachen

An attempt by a popular Ghanaian TikToker, Clementina Nkrumah, also known as Afua Nash, to break the record for the longest eating marathon has been rejected by the Guinness World Records (GWR).

Afua Nash, who is popular with her eating videos on TikTok, had planned to begin an “Eat-a-Thon” that was to last for four-day, seven-hour, and 20-minutes starting Monday, November 11, 2024.

But in a response to a post she made on social media promoting her intended record attempt, GWR clarified that it no longer recognises records based on extended eating durations.

The global record keeping platform added that under theiry updated guidelines, consumption records are now measured by the rate of eating within a short timeframe rather than over extended periods.

“We no longer monitor records for eating over a long period of time, though we did in the past. Nowadays, we still have consumption records, but they are based on the rate of consumption and are limited to a short time frame of up to three minutes, depending on the food,” GWR explained.

It added that the move is in line with GWR’s efforts to streamline and standardise consumption records based on speed rather than endurance.

Afua Nash, known for her edgy food-eating content on TikTok, had hoped to make history with her ambitious eating marathon.

Culture

Ghanaians kick as President Akufo-Addo unveils ‘self-honouring’ statue

Published

1 day ago

November 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A decision by outgoing Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, to unveil what has been described as a “self-honouring” statue outside a regional hospital in Sekondi, has been generating serious criticism from a horde of Ghanaians on social media.

President Akufo-Addo got into troubled waters when he unveiled a statue of himself at the entrance of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi as part of his one-day “thank you” tour of the Western Region on Wednesday.

While justifying the action, Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, explained that the statue honors the president’s initiatives in the region, including the rehabilitation of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the construction of a 3-tier Sinohydro interchange, and the redevelopment of the Takoradi Market Circle.

Mensah added that the statue was meant to commemorate Akufo-Addo’s development projects during his two terms in office.

However, many Ghanaians do not reason in like manner as they see it as an act of self-promotion rather than public service.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah who condemned the statue in a post on X, said “the people of the Western Region deserve better than these self-serving displays.”

Others also echoed similar sentiments, questioning the statue’s relevance at a time when several of the president’s initiatives remain incomplete.

An X user said it would have been admirable if the president had left such recognitions to posterity.

But despite the controversy, some Ghanaians have defended the monument, praising Akufo-Addo’s contributions particularly his flagship policy of free secondary education, which he has highlighted as his most significant legacy.

One of such supporters hailed him as the architect of Ghana’s free education system.

“He is deserving of this monument – the greatest president I’ve ever had,” he wrote.