It is believed that the immediate ancestors of modern humans, the Neanderthals, went extinct about 40 thousand years ago. The last place of their habitat is the island of Gibraltar, where they don’t have to fight with modern humans for food. It was there, according to an international group of archaeologists, and were found on 17-inch trail of one of them — it is assumed that this was a teenager with a growth of about 1.26 metres. This assumption was made because of the unusual properties of the trace and the formulating of sand.
A footprint was spotted in the village of Catalan Bay. Excavations in the area began 10 years ago, and in all that time, the researchers found only traces of vertebrates. Archaeologists believe that they found exactly the trail of Neanderthal — between the first and second toes is specific to their leg span of 2 cm. Estimating how long the trail was exposed to sunlight, researchers figured out his age — 29 000 years.
Foot size and expected growth have left traces of Neanderthal implying that he was a teenager. Perhaps he lived in the cave then in the South-East of the island — this place is the last place they live. It is noteworthy that it is only the second found traces of Neanderthal in history — the first was found in a Romanian cave Wardrop.
According to the Director of the Gibraltar Museum Clive Finlayson, in the future, archaeologists will find on this site and other interesting fossils. They still have a long work under them is only 300 m of the study area, which can hide themselves and other traces. There is a small probability that the researchers are wrong — after all, Neanderthals and modern humans lived at the same time, and the trace can belong to man.
We will remind that quite recently we have published another article about the Neanderthals. Judging by the DNA analysis, two kinds of people could mate with each other. Furthermore, Neanderthals may be among us.
What do you think, whose footprint has been discovered by archaeologists: Neanderthal or modern man? Your answer can write in the comments, but don’t forget to join in our Telegram chat, where there is always lively discussions on the theme of science and technology!