Traces of human habitation from 25,000 years BC discovered

According to a VNA correspondent in Africa, in the vast forests of Gabon, archaeologists are unearthing ancient clues that may reveal how prehistoric humans lived and interacted in the context of a changing environment in Central Africa.

Some 2 billion years ago, the eastern region of Gabon, around Lastourville, was covered by a vast ocean. Today, however, it is a dense forest with dolomite cliffs dotted with caves, where scientists have discovered traces of human habitation from around 25,000 BC.

Located far from the popular archaeological routes, Youmbidi cave, a typical cave type chosen by prehistoric people for settlement, is the focus of research by French geoarchaeologist Richard Oslisly's team.

Among the finds were stone tools possibly used for cutting or making fibers, dating from before 10,000 BC, along with stone arrowheads and pieces of dolomite, quartz and jade, crafted by cave dwellers 10,000 years ago.

With 45 years of experience studying Central Africa, archaeologist Oslisly said most research in Africa takes place in empty spaces like the Sahara, Sahel or Egypt. People used to think that forests were empty, but his team took on the challenge and got results.

According to him, the close relationship between humans and nature in these forests has been around for a long time. Youmbidi Cave recorded 12,000 years of continuous human habitation, making it a fascinating place for archaeologists.

Mr. Geoffroy de Saulieu at the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) (France) said that modern people have absolutely no idea how prehistoric people lived, their lifestyle, their names, their languages. New research will help to understand that better.

After a month of excavation and careful sorting of every stone, charcoal, bone and other artifact, the team gathered elements that helped decode the past. Mr. de Saulieu likened the process to a jigsaw puzzle, as small clues were pieced together to reconstruct a vanished world that is the source of today’s Central African way of life.

This year’s discoveries include one of the oldest pottery fragments in Central Africa, dating back more than 6,500 years, and a human tooth from which DNA can be extracted, a major step forward in research. In addition, a bead made from a snail shell, dating back between 3,300 and 4,900 years ago, provides valuable information about life at that time.

Researcher de Saulieu emphasized that these discoveries erase the stereotyped image of prehistoric people, showing that they had real customs, civilization and art of living, and that ceramics prove that these societies were not static but had developed new techniques.

According to experts, studying the past can also provide lessons for today's challenges. During the Holocene (the last 12,000 years), Central Africa experienced significant changes in climate, hydrology and vegetation, said Yannick Garcin, a paleoclimatologist at IRD. Youmbidi Cave can help understand how humans adapted to extreme climate changes in the past.

Mr. Oslisly affirmed that Central Africa deserves to be a place to strongly develop research activities. Understanding the past will help people better respond to environmental changes in the future./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/phat-hien-dau-tich-sinh-song-cua-con-nguoi-tu-25000-nam-truoc-cong-nguyen-post1056151.vnp