Scientists challenge traditional view of human evolution by discovering early humans lived in rainforests 150,000 years ago. Contrary to the widely-held notion that humans evolved on East African savannas, researchers now believe our species thrived across the entire continent for hundreds of thousands of years.
The discovery sheds new light on early human adaptation and dispersal across Africa. According to Dr. Eleanor Scerri, an evolutionary archaeologist, “ecological diversification” was a key aspect of human evolution. Early humans were able to live in various environments beyond grasslands, including tropical rainforests.
The study focuses on the Anyama site in West Africa, where researchers found stone tools dating back 150,000 years. The acidic soils in the region may have destroyed fossils, but the team was able to recover clues from sediment layers and plant matter. Analysis of wax from ancient leaves revealed that Anyama was a dense rainforest throughout its history.
Experts welcomed the discovery as confirmation of earlier predictions. Dr. Cecilia Padilla-Iglesias noted that the findings provide “clear proof” of human presence in tropical jungles, early in our species’ history. The distinctive tool kit suggests that the Anyama people had already adapted to their living conditions long before 150,000 years ago.
The discovery is a significant shift in our understanding of human evolution and dispersal across Africa, and highlights the complexity and diversity of early human adaptation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/science/early-humans-rainforests.html