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Youmbidi Cave Excavations Uncover Central Africa’s Oldest Pottery and DNA-Rich Teeth

Researchers have recovered teeth suitable for DNA analysis along with millennia-old pottery plus beads to reveal how early populations adapted to forested environments

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Gabon's Lastourville region has dense forest and dolomite cliffs dotted with caves, within which scientists have unearthed traces of human life dating back to 25,000 years BC
Experts say that understanding what happened in prehistoric times can help scientists today react to modern-day issues
The Gabon forest in central Africa was an unusual site for an archaeology dig, as most research in Africa is focused on the Sahara, Sahel or Egypt, says geoarchaeologist Richard Oslisly

Overview

  • Geoarchaeologist Richard Oslisly’s team is excavating Youmbidi Cave in Gabon’s Lastourville region, where human occupation dates back to 25,000 BC with 12,000 years of continuous habitation.
  • This season’s dig produced a pottery fragment over 6,500 years old, now recognized as the oldest pottery found in central Africa.
  • Archaeologists unearthed snail-shell beads aged between 3,300 and 4,900 years, highlighting early social customs and decorative craft.
  • Human-looking teeth suitable for DNA extraction were discovered, offering the potential for genetic insights into prehistoric forest communities.
  • Scientists aim to use the cave’s layered record to understand how early groups adapted to dramatic Holocene shifts in climate, hydrology and vegetation.