EGYPTIAN archaeologists discover 'oldest human footprint'

[Sergius]

I couldn't access the Pre- and Proto-History section.

EGYPTIAN archaeologists discover 'oldest human footprint'
From correspondents in Cairo
August 21, 2007 04:37am

EGYPTIAN archaeologists have found what they said could be the oldest human footprint in history in the country's western desert, the Arab country's antiquities' chief said overnight.

"This could go back about two million years," said Zahi Hawass, the secretary general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.
"It could be the most important discovery in Egypt," he said.
Archaeologists found the footprint, imprinted on mud and then hardened into rock, while exploring a prehistoric site in Siwa, a desert oasis.
Scientists are using carbon tests on plants found in the rock to determine its exact age, Mr Hawass said.
Khaled Saad, the director of prehistory at the council, said that based on the age of the rock where the footprint was found, it could date back even further than the renowned 3-million year-old fossil Lucy, the partial skeleton of an ape-man, found in Ethiopia in 1974.
Most archaeological interest in Egypt is focused on the time of the pharaohs.
Previously, the earliest human archaeological evidence from Egypt dated back around 200,000 years, Mr Saad said.

source

[BeornWulfWer]

These finds absolutely fascinate me.
I would love to see this in person and touch the footprint.
To think that over 2million years before,a man,or woman,was going about their daily routine to survive.
It makes you think: what were they doing?
What was the climate like around them?
What was their fears,their hopes and dreams?
I could go on,but this is all very fascinating

Its a shame that there is not a picture to accompany the article,but I'm sure abit of determined searching will dig up some pictures.

[Strengthandhonour]

The whole finding process for this seems very difficult.
But it must be so rewarding when you find something like this.