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Neanderthal footprints found in Portugal

A series of ancient footprints show a Neanderthal family foraging for food 78,000 years ago.

July 22, 2025 at 08:40 PM

78,000-year-old footprints from Neanderthal man, child and toddler discovered on beach in Portugal

A remarkable discovery in Portugal reveals how Neanderthals may have lived and foraged 78,000 years ago.

Ancient Neanderthal footprints shine light on family life

Researchers discovered a series of Neanderthal footprints on Monte Clérigo beach in Portugal, dating back 78,000 years. The findings, including footprints of an adult male, a child, and a toddler, were published in the journal Scientific Reports. The prints show that these ancient humans were likely foraging for food along the shoreline, potentially gathering shellfish or hunting larger animals. This discovery increases the total known trackways of Neanderthals in Europe to eight. The footprints are significant as similar finds are rare, helping to enhance scientists' understanding of Neanderthal behaviors and social structures.

Key Takeaways

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Footprints found at Monte Clérigo beach date back 78,000 years.

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The tracks include prints from an adult Neanderthal, a child, and a toddler.

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This discovery adds to the total count of Neanderthal trackways in Europe to eight.

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Neanderthals likely used coastal areas for foraging and hunting.

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Footprints suggest that children accompanied adults during daily activities.

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The rarity of these finds highlights the importance of such discoveries for understanding Neanderthal life.

"The fact that in the context of Monte Clérigo infant footprints were found together with those of older individuals suggests that children were present when adults performed day-to-day activities."

This highlights the potential social structure of Neanderthals and their care for offspring.

"The presence of footprints attributed to, at least, one male adult, one child and one toddler negotiating the steep slope of a dune allows us to speculate about close proximity to the campsite."

This statement underscores the family dynamic present in the foraging activities of Neanderthals.

The discovery of these footprints provides a vivid glimpse into Neanderthal life, suggesting they engaged in nurturing activities alongside survival strategies. The presence of children with an adult indicates that these ancient peoples likely prioritized family units during foraging trips. This raises questions about their social structures and how they balanced daily tasks with child-rearing. It also underscores the importance of coastal environments in their hunting practices, revealing new insights into their adaptability and resourcefulness.