![\"Reconstituted](\"https:\/\/cdn.sci.news\/images\/enlarge13\/image_14242_1e-Neanderthal-Footprints.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nReconstituted scenario of Monte Cl\u00e9rigo tracksite, generated by AI tools following the guidance. Image credit: J.M. Gal\u00e1n \/ AI.<\/p>\n
\u201cFootprints record a specific moment, almost instantaneously, allowing us to reconstruct what was happening; for example, a group walk, a chase, a flight, or presence in a particular landscape,\u201d said Dr. Carlos Neto de Carvalho, a researcher at the Geology Office of the Municipality of Idanha-a-Nova and the University of Lisbon, and his colleagues.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe footprints show how Neanderthals used space, how they explored coastal environments, forests, dunes or riverbanks, something that is difficult to infer solely from artefacts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The archaeologists discovered the Neanderthal footprints at two different locations: Praia do Monte Cl\u00e9rigo and Praia do Telheiro.<\/p>\n
At Monte Cl\u00e9rigo, 5 tracks and 26 footprints were left by adults and children just over a year old on a steep slope of what was once a coastal dune.<\/p>\n
At Praia do Telheiro, an isolated footprint was left by a teenager or adult female in association with bird footprints typical of coastal and rocky environments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the number, size and arrangement of the footprints, it is possible to infer the minimum number of individuals present, their age range (children, adolescents, adults) or the possible division of tasks (e.g. a hunting party),\u201d the researchers said.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren and babies, who rarely leave archaeological traces, can be identified by their footprints (which are smaller), revealing more about the social structure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFootprints offer a unique and dynamic window into everyday behavior \u2014 a snapshot of life tens of thousands of years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n