In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered what may be the oldest pair of shoes in Europe. The sandals, estimated to be at least 6,200 years old and possibly even older, were found in a cave in Spain. The cave, known as the Cueva de los Murcielagos, is located near Granada on the coast of Granada, and is considered one of the most significant prehistoric archaeological sites in the Iberian Peninsula.

The shoes, which measured around 20.5cm or just over 8 inches, were among 76 objects that were carbon-dated by researchers from the Universidad de Alcal?? (UAH) and the Universitat Aut??noma de Barcelona (UAB). These objects, which included baskets made of wood, reed, and esparto grass, date back to the early and middle Holocene period, between 9,500 and 6,200 years ago.

This find provides crucial insight into the skill and craftsmanship of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer societies in Southern Europe. The baskets, in particular, represent the first direct evidence of their skill. The researchers argue that the quality and technological complexity of the basketry challenges our simplistic assumptions about human communities before the arrival of agriculture in Southern Europe.

According to Francisco Mart?­nez Sevilla, a researcher at the Prehistory Department of UAH, the discovery of these ancient shoes and baskets is unparalleled in both the Iberian Peninsula and Europe as a whole. The new dating of the esparto baskets from the Cueva de los Murcielagos opens up new opportunities for understanding the last hunter-gatherer societies of the early Holocene.

Mar?­a Herrero Otal, a study co-author, highlighted the significance of the esparto grass objects found in the cave. She described them as the oldest and best-preserved set of plant fiber materials in Southern Europe. The objects demonstrate the ability of prehistoric communities to master this type of craftsmanship as early as 9,500 years ago during the Mesolithic period.

The Cueva de los Murcielagos' rare preservation of organic materials can be attributed to the low humidity levels in the area. The cave, known as the "Cave of the Bats," is located on the right side of the Barranco de las Angosturas, approximately 450 meters above sea level and seven kilometers from the current coastline.

While this discovery is remarkable, it is worth noting that it is not the oldest footwear ever found. The oldest footwear in the world, dating back approximately 10,000 years, was discovered in Fort Rock, Oregon in 1938. The Fort Rock Sandals, made from sagebrush bark and other fibers, are housed at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Oregon. They were found under a layer of volcanic ash that resulted from the Mount Mazama eruption 7,700 years ago.

The significance of these findings cannot be overstated. They shed light on the technological capabilities and craftsmanship of prehistoric societies, challenging our understanding of human communities before the advent of agriculture. The Cueva de los Murcielagos has emerged as a unique site in Europe for studying organic materials from prehistoric populations. With ongoing research and projects, this cave continues to hold the key to unraveling the mysteries of our ancient past.