Researchers from the University of Southern Brittany, located in France, have identified some of the oldest known human traces anywhere on Earth. The discoveries stem from Morocco, and the research findings have appeared in the scientific journal Scientific Reports. The work highlights a remarkable glimpse into early human mobility and behavior during prehistoric times, drawing interest from anthropologists and archaeologists worldwide.
The site in Morocco preserves two distinct tracks that together comprise 85 footprints of high clarity and condition. Scientists estimate that these footprints were made roughly 90,000 years ago, placing them among the oldest known human traces outside Africa. Earlier footprints in Africa have been dated to about 153,000 years ago, underscoring a deep timeline for human presence on the continent and the broader region.
In total, the Moroccan footprints likely originated from a group of at least five individuals who traversed a coastal landscape during the late Pleistocene, a period that culminated with the last Ice Age around 11,700 years ago. The dating was accomplished using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), a method that measures the last time mineral grains were exposed to sunlight, widely recognized for its reliability in determining when sediments were last deposited. This approach provides a robust framework for understanding the chronology of the footprints and the environmental context in which they were created.
Field measurements were taken to assess the length and depth of each print, and researchers analyzed the impression patterns to infer foot pressure, gait, and potential group composition. From these data, scientists could infer the approximate ages of the individuals who left the marks, including children, teenagers, and adults. The coastal site itself lies on a rocky platform that carries a layer of clay deposits, with sandy components that created ideal conditions for preserving the impressions over thousands of years. The combination of stable substrate and protective depositional processes likely contributed to the exceptional preservation observed at this location, according to the researchers, who emphasize the site’s significance for reconstructing early human behavior and adaptation to coastal environments.
These Moroccan traces add to the broader narrative of early human dispersals and coastal use, expanding our understanding of how ancient populations moved, dispersed, and interacted with shifting landscapes. The discoveries in this region complement established records from other parts of Africa, offering a more nuanced view of when and how humans first reached varied geographic zones and how footprints can reveal social organization, movement, and daily life in the deep past, as reported in Scientific Reports.