Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN)-- Hundreds of footprints, dating back 120,000 years, have been discovered in Saudi Arabia, where they could indicate the oldest evidence of human movement in the region, according to a study. New in Science Advances.
Researchers discovered hundreds of footprints, the result of sediment erosion, during a survey of an ancient lake in Saudi Arabia's Nafud desert.
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Among the 376 ancient forms discovered around Al-Athar Lake, experts identified animal footprints, including those of horses, camels and elephants.
However, the surprising thing is that the researchers discovered 7 hominin footprints, which could be the oldest dated evidence of the existence of human species, in the Arabian Peninsula, if confirmed.
"Footprints are a unique form of fossil evidence, providing a glimpse into a specific moment in time, usually representing a few hours or days, a precision that we don't get from other records," he added.
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The researchers believe that the footprints date back to the last ice age, a time when wet weather conditions facilitated Human and animal movement through a desert area.
The researchers said that the fossil and archaeological records show that these conditions helped human migration from Africa to the Levant.
It was only after the last interglacial period, with the return of cooler conditions, that we had definitive evidence of Neanderthals moving into the area," Stewart said.
He added, "Therefore, the footprints are likely to represent humans or Homo sapiens."
After examining the footprints, experts believe the dense concentration of tracks indicates that animals gathered around the lake as a result of the dry conditions and lack of water, while humans could have used the area for water and foraging.
We know that people were visiting the lake, but the lack of stone tools or evidence of the use of animal carcasses indicates that their visit was only brief," Stewart added.