2024-02-14 22:38:47
These ancient footprints of a sapiens community would be some of the best preserved in the world, according to archaeologists.
More than 80 human footprints about 90,000 years old were found on the northern coast of Morocco and, according to researchers, they would be the oldest found in North Africa and the southern Mediterranean.
These Homo sapiens footprints left by at least five individuals—including children—; were identified in Larache, 90 km south of Tangier, by a team of Moroccan, French, Spanish and German researchers, reports the AFP news agency.
“This group of individuals crossed the beach towards the sea, probably in search of food and seashells, and were probably fishermen and collectors,” said Anass Sedrati, curator of the Lixus-Larache archaeological site.
According to the scientists, whose study was published in the journal Nature, it is one of the best preserved human footprint sites in the world and the oldest in northern Africa and the southern Mediterranean.
Homo sapiens footprints
“This discovery occurred during a field measurement mission in July 2022, within the framework of a scientific research project on the origin and dynamics of rock blocks found on the coast,” indicated the researchers, led by the French university Bretagne Sud.
In 2017, remains of Homo sapiens 300,000 years old, according to researchers, were discovered at another site in northern Morocco, increasing the estimated origin of our species by 100,000 years. According to Anass Sedrati, animal tracks were also found in the area.
The footprints of sapiens have remained in the place for 90,000 years. Photo: Scientific Reports (2024)
“The distribution (of the footprints) supports the ecological relationship between Homo sapiens populations and coastal areas where no other type of anthropological or archaeological evidence has yet been found,” the document highlights.
Meanwhile, the identification of the footprints took as a starting point the anatomical characteristics of the human foot: rounded heel, plantar arch, relatively short toes and adducted hallux, the study details.
A site in danger
The study also emphasizes that the Larache rock platform where the footprints are located is at risk of collapsing and, for that reason, these ancient traces could soon disappear due to storms or rising sea levels.
“This remarkable heritage site must be preserved, even though it is threatened by rising sea levels and storms,” said Muncef Sedrati, head of the research project. “In the short term, other traces will be discovered as the sediments erode,” said one official.
“It would be interesting to monitor this erosion and discover new additional footprints that would facilitate obtaining more details about the group of Homo sapiens that walked or resided on these coasts,” said the specialist.
“The various caves along the southern coast of Larache should also be explored for fossils or lithic traces that may be present,” he added.
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