This is the oldest place on Earth in terms of archeology
(ORDO NEWS) — Our ancestors appeared on the planet 6 million years ago. But what place is considered the most ancient region of their presence?
Archaeologists are torn between two historical sites. Both of them are in Africa – the first in Kenya, and the second in Ethiopia.
The oldest archaeological site on Earth
At a site called Lomekwi-3 in Kenya, hominid bones and stone tools have been found; in a 2015 study, scientists reported that closer examination of the artifact deposits led them to suggest that the finds were about 3.3 million years old.
The “local” tools were probably made by the Afarian Australopithecus. Australopithecus may have used stone tools to crack nuts at this location.
However, a number of works cast doubt on the position of artifacts from Lomeka-3. According to experts, some artifacts cannot be dated.
In other words, what is found at the site of the find may not be from the same period as the deposits in which it was found.
Many archaeologists believe that the oldest human “footprints” are in the Afar Basin. In particular, we are talking about 2.6 million-year-old stone tools found near the Kadagon River in Ethiopia.
These artifacts may have been made by Australopithecus Garhi, a human ancestor who lived in East Africa about 2.5 million years ago.
Fossils of this species have been found along with stone tools. Scientists believe that Australopithecus Garhi was one of the first human ancestors who made improved tools.
It is worth noting that tool research has been going on in Ethiopia for several decades, while in Kenya only a few years. This aroused suspicion among scientists.
But there is a third candidate for the title of “the oldest archaeological site”, which may belong to the Ladi Geral region in Ethiopia.
Experts found a fragment of the lower jaw of a hominid with teeth at this place. After analyzing the surrounding deposits, they determined that it was 2.8 million years old.
But even here, many experts have doubts. In short, the tools from the Cadagon River region are the most clearly documented remains and can proudly carry the title of “the oldest archaeological site on Earth.”
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