Hundreds of footprints dating back to 120,000 years ago have been found in Saudi Arabia, and it is suspected to be the earliest evidence of the existence of mankind. According to a new study in Science Advances, these footprints have been suspected to point to the earliest evidence of human movement into the region.
Researchers had found hundreds of these fossilized footprints while investigating the site of an ancient lake in Saudi Arabia’s Nefud Desert. These had been exposed by means of sediment erosion.
There were about 376 ancient fossils that were found around Alathar Lake, of which a major portion belonged to horses, camels and elephants. Notably, elephant had gone extinct in this region about 400 thousand years ago. along with these researchers were surprised to discover seven “homin” footprints, which could possibly mean that this would be the earliest dated evidence of humans in the Arabian Peninsula.
Fossil and archeological records show that these conditions aided human migration from Africa to the Levant, researchers said. After studying the footfalls, experts believe the dense concentration of tracks suggests animals gathered around the lake as a result of dry conditions and diminishing water, while humans could have used the area for water and foraging.