Researchers have uncovered the first known Neanderthal footprints in Portugal, providing rare insight into how these early humans navigated the region’s coastal dunes nearly 80,000 years ago.
The discovery, detailed in a study published in Scientific Reports, includes two newly identified track sites along Portugal’s southwestern coast—Monte Clérigo and Praia do Telheiro. Preserved in hardened dunes known as eolianites, the footprints are believed to date back 78,000 to 82,000 years, during the Pleistocene epoch.
Tracksites show group movement across steep dunes
Scientists documented at least 26 clear footprints arranged in multiple trackways at Monte Clérigo. The impressions include tracks from both adults and children, preserved as they moved across steep dune slopes.
At Praia do Telheiro, researchers found a single footprint, likely left by a female adolescent or adult. Both sites provide direct evidence of Neanderthal presence outside traditional cave settings.
“These sites provide rare, direct evidence of Neanderthal behavior outside of caves and show their ability to navigate complex dune environments,” said lead author Carlos Neto de Carvalho.
Movement patterns suggest hunting or gathering activity
The orientation, depth, and spacing of the footprints suggest intentional movement across uneven terrain, possibly linked to hunting and gathering activities. The arrangement of the tracks implies group travel, indicating a coordinated effort that may have involved family units.
Dietary analysis highlights Neanderthal adaptability
Alongside the physical evidence, the study also explores how Neanderthals used the surrounding environment. A broader analysis of coastal sites across the Iberian Peninsula shows that Neanderthals maintained a flexible and varied diet.
In addition to large animals such as deer, horses, and hares, they also relied on marine resources like shellfish and small coastal game.
Researchers believe this dietary adaptability helped Neanderthals survive through changing climates. Coastal areas provided stable and predictable food sources, allowing early humans to establish seasonal or long-term settlements near estuaries and shorelines.
Cutting-edge methods confirm age and landscape context
Preserving footprints requires a rare combination of conditions—moist, fine-grained sediment that is quickly buried and eventually fossilized.
A figure showing the distribution of Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA across the world. pic.twitter.com/T2DjVoBSZY
— Dr. Dominic Ng (@DrDominicNg) July 9, 2025
Scientists used 3D photogrammetry and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating to confirm the age and context of the prints. Sediment analysis further revealed that the dunes once overlooked a resource-rich coastal estuary.
Findings expand the known range of Neanderthal behavior
The sites in Portugal now join a growing list of Neanderthal ichnosites across Europe, including the well-known Le Rozel site in France. These latest findings expand the known range of Neanderthal coastal activity, offering new insights into their mobility, group behavior, and environmental adaptability.
“This discovery fills a crucial gap in our understanding of Neanderthal occupation along the Atlantic seaboard,” the researchers noted. “It proves that Neanderthals were not just cave-dwellers but also adept at moving through open and dynamic coastal environments.”
Rising seas threaten rare ancient traces
As sea levels continue to rise and erode ancient coastlines, the race is on to uncover and preserve these fragile traces of prehistoric life. For now, the footprints at Monte Clérigo and Praia do Telheiro stand as a lasting record of Neanderthals’ resilience and connection to the natural world.
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