Unraveling 300,000 Year Old Ancient Footprints
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Unraveling 300,000 Year Old Ancient Footprints
Homo heidelbergensis and Prehistoric Wildlife at Schöningen
In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery
, scientists have unearthed a fascinating glimpse into the past at Schöningen, a renowned Middle Pleistocene site situated on the eastern border of Lower Saxony, Germany. Among the findings are three footprints of Homo heidelbergensis, a direct ancestor of Neanderthals, as well as a myriad of footprints belonging to elephants and other herbivorous species. This discovery sheds light on what life might have been like in Lower Saxony approximately 300,000 years ago, offering valuable insights into the ancient environment and the diverse mammalian inhabitants of the area.
Led by Dr. Flavio Altamura, a researcher with the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment at the University of Tübingen, the study presents a treasure trove of information about the Middle Pleistocene in northern Europe. See, Schöningen has long been a site of significant interest to archaeologists and paleontologists, yielding numerous localities boasting a wealth of archeological and paleontological remains. These findings collectively provide a rich paleoenvironmental record of the Middle Pleistocene era in northern Europe. The current study focuses on fossil footprints found at two key locations: Schöningen 13 I-Fs2 and Schöningen 13 II-2 Untere Berme.
For the first time, Dr. Altamura and his team embarked on a comprehensive examination of the fossil footprints from these two localities, revolutionizing our understanding of the ancient inhabitants of Schöningen. The researchers collaborated with experts in sedimentology, archaeology, paleontology, and paleobotany to glean valuable information about the prehistoric environment and the mammals that once roamed the area.
Among the intriguing imprints found during the investigation are three sets of tracks that perfectly match hominin footprints, providing tangible evidence of Homo heidelbergensis' presence approximately 300,000 years ago. This discovery is of paramount significance as it helps bridge the gaps in our knowledge about the early human species and their activities in Europe during the Middle Pleistocene epoch.
In addition to the hominin footprints, the study also revealed numerous tracks belonging to elephants and various other herbivorous creatures. These footprints offer a glimpse into the behavior and movements of prehistoric wildlife, painting a vivid picture of the diverse fauna that once thrived in Lower Saxony's ancient landscapes.
The latest excavation at Schöningen has undoubtedly unveiled a captivating chapter in human history. The discovery of Homo heidelbergensis footprints and the abundance of tracks from ancient elephants and herbivores provide invaluable information about life during the Middle Pleistocene in northern Europe. Dr. Altamura and his colleagues' meticulous research not only offers a glimpse of our early human ancestors but also reconstructs the vibrant tapestry of prehistoric wildlife that once roamed this ancient territory. As the scientific community continues to unravel the mysteries of our past, Schöningen remains an archaeological marvel, offering new revelations with every turn of the trowel.
Flavio Altamura et al. 2023. Fossil footprints at the late Lower Paleolithic site of Schöningen (Germany): A new line of research to reconstruct animal and hominin paleoecology. Quaternary Science Reviews 310: 108094; doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108094