Archaeologists found the footprints in a prehistoric mudhole and believe they indicate human migration outside of Africa and the Levant before the Ice Age.
Researchers have discovered the most ancient human footprint ever found in the Middle East. The footprints, meticulously preserved in an ancient mudhole, suggest human movement occurred prior to the Ice Age.
Scientists uncovered seven footprints estimated to be approximately 115,000 years old alongside numerous prehistoric animal tracks.
This remarkable lakebed in northern Saudi Arabia has yielded countless fossils and ancient artifacts since researchers discovered it in 2017 within the Nefud Desert, reports Daily Express UK.
Called “the trace” in Arabic, this lakebed appears to have been a bustling hub more than 100,000 years ago. The lake that creates Alathar today was likely where massive animals congregated to rest or hydrate during their migrations caused by shifting weather and climatic patterns.
Footprints preserved in ancient sediment by ancient populations frequently assist in tracking their past, the researchers discovered.
The researchers noted in their study: “An experimental study of modern human footprints in mud flats found that fine details were lost within two days and prints were rendered unrecognisable within four, and similar observations have been made for other non-hominin mammal tracks..”
During the Burgess Shale incident, the most ancient creatures remained perfectly preserved after being caught in a mudslide and perishing immediately. An armored dinosaur was discovered in excellent condition after being found on the frigid ocean bottom, buried in sediment.
Although Homo sapiens weren’t the sole upright primates during that period, growing evidence indicates the tracks belonged to humans, the researchers concluded.
Seven prehistoric footprints discovered
The research stated: “Seven hominin footprints were confidently identified, and given the fossil and archaeological evidence for the spread of H. sapiens into the Levant and Arabia during [the era 130,000 to 80,000 years ago] and absence of Homo neanderthalensis from the Levant at that time, we argue that H. sapiens was responsible for the tracks at Alathar.”
The study continued: “In addition, the size of the Alathar footprints is more consistent with those of early H. sapiens than H. neanderthalensis.”
Researchers haven’t discovered additional tool marks or blade cuts on animal remains in the region that would suggest hunting activities. This suggests that early humans may have visited the location simply to access fresh water.
“The lack of archaeological evidence suggests that the Alathar Lake was only briefly visited by people,” the scientists explained. “These findings indicate that transient lakeshore use by humans during a dry period of the last interglacial was likely primarily tied to the need for potable water.”
These ancient humans may have represented the final wave to journey through a mild climate before being wiped out by the Ice Age, which could explain why no subsequent groups followed their path.
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