Ancient Grass Sandals Unearthed in Spanish Cave Challenge Assumptions about Early European Societies

On September 29, 2023, CBS News unveiled a remarkable archaeological discovery that is rewriting the history of early human communities in Europe. Scientists have identified a pair of grass sandals found in a cave in Spain as the oldest woven grass footwear ever discovered on the continent, dating back a staggering 6,200 years. This find has prompted a reconsideration of “simplistic assumptions” about our ancestors in this region.

The groundbreaking announcement stems from a collaborative effort between researchers from the Universidad de Alcalá and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Their investigation centered around 76 objects that had been unearthed many years ago in a cave in southern Spain. Among these ancient relics were not only the grass sandals but also baskets and organic tools fashioned from reed and esparto grass.

By closely examining the materials used in crafting these objects, scientists were able to pinpoint their age to the early and middle Holocene period, spanning from 9,500 to 6,200 years ago. The sheer quality and technological complexity of the basketry has challenged preconceived notions about pre-agricultural communities in southern Europe. Francisco Martínez Sevilla, a researcher at the University of Alcalá, pointed out that this discovery forces a reevaluation of the simplistic assumptions held about these early human societies.

One of the significant revelations of this study is that these objects offer a rare glimpse into the world of hunter-gatherer societies and early agrarian communities in southern Europe. They represent the first direct evidence of basketry practices in the region. María Herrero Otal, a co-author of the study, highlighted the uniqueness of this research, noting that fiber-based materials like these are seldom found in archaeological sites. The tradition of using esparto grass, which dates back at least 9,500 years, continues to this day in Iberia (Spain and Portugal), demonstrating remarkable cultural continuity.

The grass sandals, in particular, are a standout discovery. According to the study published in the journal Science Advances, they constitute “the earliest and widest-ranging assemblage of prehistoric footwear, both in the Iberian Peninsula and in Europe, unparalleled at other latitudes.” These sandals offer crucial insights into the footwear of early European societies.

The story of these remarkable objects began in the 19th century when they were first uncovered during mining activities in the Cueva de los Murciélagos, known as the “cave of the bats,” in Albuñol, Granada, Spain. This recent study, however, determined that the materials found were approximately 2,000 years older than previously believed.

A critical factor contributing to the preservation of these ancient objects was the cave’s unique environment. The combination of low humidity and cool, dry winds within the cave prevented the development of bacteria, ensuring the survival of these fiber-based artifacts through millennia.

The researchers also uncovered two distinct types of footwear at the site. One featured a consistent woven sole, while the other had a harder “central core.” Although no laces were found with the first type, the “central core” sandals appeared to have a small group of fibers attached to the base of the sole, potentially used to secure the sandal around the ankle.

This remarkable archaeological discovery not only sheds light on the material culture of early European societies but also emphasizes the importance of reevaluating our assumptions about the past.