A recent discovery has identified those responsible for the mysterious “Devil’s Footprints” on the Roccamonfina volcano, Italy. These marks, imprinted after a volcanic eruption 350,000 years ago, finally reveal which human species walked through such hostile terrain.
Who left the “Devil’s Footprints”?
The study concluded that the footprints belong to Homo heidelbergensis, an extinct species that lived in Europe during the Middle Pleistocene. These footprints were left by at least four individuals with heights of between 1.53 and 1.77 meters and weights of 55 to 65 kilos.
The footprints were recorded on a surface of ignimbrite, a pyroclastic flow deposit that, although still soft, allowed these hominids to walk with difficulty due to the slope and slippery texture of the terrain. The peculiarity of the marks, which seemed non-human, is due to the need for walkers to modify their step to avoid falls.
Challenges for researchers: analyzing footprints on sloping terrain
Analysis of the prints was complex because traditional methods are designed for flat surfaces. The researchers had to adjust mathematical models to account for the tilt and deformation of the marks, obtaining more precise estimates of the dimensions of the individuals.
This approach allowed us to confirm that Homo heidelbergensis, a robust species adapted to various conditions, was responsible. This hominid, ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans, inhabited Europe for a period of 600,000 to 200,000 years.
Importance of the discovery
This discovery, published in the journal Quaternaryreinforces our understanding of how prehistoric hominids interacted with extreme environments. Furthermore, it confirms the ability of Homo heidelbergensis to adapt to hostile landscapes such as Roccamonfina.
The “Devil’s Footprints” add to the fossil record that documents the presence of this species in Europe, along with other important finds such as those from Atapuerca, in Spain. These advances bring us closer to a more complete vision of our ancestors and their way of facing the challenges of their time.
