2024-08-15 23:29:59
These ancient footprints of a community of sapiens would be some of the best preserved in the world, according to archaeologists.
More than 80 human footprints dating back 90,000 years have been found on the northern coast of Morocco and, according to researchers, they are the oldest ever 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 was crossing the beach towards the sea, probably in search of food and seashells, and they were probably fishermen and gatherers,” 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 sites of human footprints in the world and the oldest in North Africa and the southern Mediterranean.
Homo sapiens footprints
“This discovery occurred during a field measurement mission in July 2022, as part of a scientific research project on the origin and dynamics of rock blocks found on the coast,” said the researchers, led by the French University of Bretagne Sud.
In 2017, Homo sapiens remains dating back 300,000 years were discovered at another site in northern Morocco, according to researchers, pushing the estimated origin of our species back 100,000 years. According to Anass Sedrati, animal footprints were also found in the area.
Sapiens footprints have remained in 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.
The identification of the footprints was based on 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 rocky platform of Larache where the footprints are found is at risk of collapsing and, for that reason, these ancient signs 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 help us obtain more information about the group of Homo sapiens that walked or lived on these coasts,” said the specialist.
“The various caves along the southern coast of Larache should also be explored for any fossils or lithic traces that may be present,” he added.
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