For centuries, scientists across the globe have been pursuing the quest to discover the origin of the human species. The most widely accepted theory suggests that humans evolved from apes. However, the question about where the first humans appeared remains unanswered. During the mid-20th century, Australopithecus fossils were unearthed in the Southern and Eastern portion of Africa. A 3.7 million-year-old human like footprints were also found in Laetoli, Tanzania. These evidence led scientists to believe that the human race first appeared in the African soil.
However, the recent discovery of a 5.7 million-year-old human-like footprints in Crete is challenging the history of mankind.
The history of human kind is being challenged
Researchers from the Uppsala University in Sweden discovered a 5.7 million-year-old footprint on the Greek Island of Crete. The fossil’s remarkable resemblance to the human footprint gave rise to the hypothesis that man first appeared in Europe. This is contrary to the widely accepted theory that man originated in Africa.
The human footprint is unique. It can be easily distinguished from the footprints of other primates. The first and second toes of the human foot are longer than the rest. The sole lies flat on the ground, and the absence of claws is obvious.
Humans also make unique footprints every single step, depending on the amount of pressure exerted.
India’s Opinion reports that the discovery of the ancient human footprint was published in the Proceedings of the Geologist Association. The recent piece became instantly controversial as it contradicts the initial belief that the first humans originated in Africa.
The age and location of the Greek footprints contradict the popular Human Evolution timeline. If verified, the Greek prints will change history.
The scientific debate continues
New discoveries are made on a daily basis. The origin of the human species is being constantly challenged. The footprints discovered on the Greek Island of Crete were dated based on the characteristics of the local sedimentary rocks.
Scientists also made use of fossilized marine microorganisms called foraminifera. The rapid evolution of foraminifera is a precise indication of age.
The amount of foraminifera contained in the sedimentary rocks hinted that the age of the footprints could be anywhere between 3.5 million to 8.5 million years. Scientists also factored in the fact that the Mediterranean Sea had completely dried up 5.6 million years ago. Putting facts together led scientists to conclude that the footprints were 5.7 million years old.
Professor Per Ahlberg from the Uppsala University in Sweden is intrigued by the location and age of the Greek prints. But he believes that the evidence will not be easily accepted by the community of researchers of the human origins research community. The professor emphasized that the prints are not conclusive evidence. Discovering the truth behind the human evolution and origin is still a long process.
