Overview

• Excavations in Mololo Cave uncovered tree resin, stone artifacts, and animal bones, dating human presence to at least 55,000 years ago.
• The resin, the oldest found outside Africa, suggests early humans used it for fires, boat construction, or tool-making.
• Findings indicate early human diets included marsupials, megabats, and ground-dwelling birds, showing adaptability to diverse environments.
• Seafaring simulations propose a northern equatorial route into New Guinea, supporting theories of early migration corridors.
• Ongoing research aims to clarify the timing and routes of human dispersals and their impact on local megafauna extinctions.