Early Humans Wore Footwear in Middle Stone Age 75,000 Years Ago, New Report Shows

A new report suggested that early humans likely wore footwear about 75,000 years ago or during the Middle Stone Age. It helped to protect their foot from sharp rocks.

Footwear has been essential in daily life. It is a primary protection for people's feet. However, researchers wondered what could be the earliest date that ancient humans wore shoes.

Experts have been on the quest to understand early human existence and behavior. Fossils have offered new insights into the time of the Middle Stone Age, or about 75,000 to 150,000 years ago.

Early Humans Wore Footwear in the Middle Stone Age

(Photo : by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
A photo of a person walking. A recent report showed that early humans could have worn footwear during the Middle Stone Age, or about 75,000 years ago. They likely wore flip-flops to protect their foot. The discovery revealed the ancient human's cognitive skills in designing footwear to protect them.

According to a recent report, one of the oldest shoes in Europe could date back 6,000 years. South Africa also recorded about 2,000 years ago of human's footwear.

With advanced technology and fossils, researchers noted that early humans likely wore shoes or footwear during the Middle Stone Age. The discovery revealed the ancient human's cognitive skills in designing footwear to protect them.

With ichnology, researchers can uncover fossilized traces and trails, including the animal's excavation. Experts can analyze and trace fossils, helping to understand better the animal's transition to burrow areas. It also provides new insights into the movements of animals and humans.

Dr. Bernhard Zipfel, podiatrist and one of the study's researchers, explained that the humans likely wore footwear, especially since the Southern Cape Coast had sharp rocks. Dr. Ziphel is also from the Wits' Evolutionary Studies Institute.

In addition, the archaeological evidence explained that the humans used foot covers like flip-flops. However, the researchers noted that there still needs to be evidence about ancient humans' types of shoes.

The type of shoes in the early times can depend on the shape and environmental conditions. In California, footwear was discovered that could date back about 9,000 years ago.

Also Read: New Spine Fossils Can Help Decipher Deep-Sea Activities, Evolution 104 Million Years Ago

Ancient Wine That Could Date Back 5,000 Years Ago

In a recent report, researchers discovered an ancient wine that could date back 5,000 years near the tomb of Queen Meret-Neith in Abydos, Egypt.

The Queen was one of the strongest and most popular leaders in ancient Egypt, having her royal ancestral tomb. It showed the powerful position that Queen Meret-Neith held during her time.

The German-Austrian experts discovered the ancient wine that could provide new insights into the Queen's existence. The researchers also found grave goods and large wind jars in the area.

Furthermore, the Egyptian civilization is rich in ancient civilization and archaeological finds. The use of advanced technology and analysis can unearth new fossils.