Traces of Man in Morocco: Shifting Ancient World Image

An international group of archaeologists has made an exciting discovery in modern Morocco, uncovering traces of a person believed to be around 90,000 years old. The findings have been detailed in a recent article published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Traces left by ancient humans are extraordinarily rare, largely due to the fleeting nature of these remnants. However, on occasions, unique circumstances occur that help preserve these traces, such as being covered with precipitation that subsequently hardens. These prints can then be found when the material covering them erodes over time. In this particular instance, traces were unearthed on a sandy area along the rocky coast of Morocco.

As is often the case with archaeological breakthroughs, these traces were discovered serendipitously. While studying boulders by the ocean, a research group noticed dents in the sand nearby. Upon closer examination, these dents were revealed to be human footprints.

To analyze the traces, the researchers employed the method of optically stimulated luminescence, which determined that they were created approximately 90,000 years ago during the late Pleistocene era.

Upon further analysis, it was established that these footprints belonged to at least five individuals of various ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. As the footprints formed a continuous trail rather than being isolated, they have been referred to as a path. Remarkably, this path represents the only known human pathway from that era in this geographical region.

The preservation of this pathway is believed to be attributed to multiple factors, including the location, sediment composition, beach position relative to the sea, tides, and potentially some unknown events. The exact purpose of the group on the beach and the reason for their presence there remains an enigma. It is speculated that they may have been searching for food, seeking respite from the heat, or simply using the beach as a convenient route for travel.