From Africa to Europe: Rediscovering Ancient Migration Routes

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Modern cities in Europe sit atop the ancient paths once traveled by early humans migrating out of Africa. Archaeological finds across the continent help piece together this incredible story of survival, migration, and adaptation.


🔍 Key Modern Sites Where Migration Occurred

  • Jebel Irhoud, Morocco — Fossils of early Homo sapiens (~300,000 years old). Read more.
  • Skhul & Qafzeh Caves, Israel — Human remains dated to ~120–90 ka. Details here.
  • Apidima Cave, Greece — Skull dated over 210,000 years, one of the oldest outside Africa. Source.
  • Atapuerca, Spain — Fossil “Pink” may represent unknown ancient species. Full story.
  • Ranis Cave, Germany — Evidence of Homo sapiens in northern Europe ~45,000 years ago.

🧭 Migration Pathways

Archaeological evidence supports multiple migration corridors from Africa to Europe:

  1. Nile–Sinai–Levant Route via Israel and Jordan.
  2. Southern Coastal Route via Bab al-Mandab into Arabia.
  3. Gibraltar Crossing into Spain ~1.3 million years ago.
  4. Caucasus Route through Georgia (Dmanisi site).

🧠 Archaeologists’ Quotes

"This culture... covers the period when Homo sapiens left the African continent to conquer the rest of the world." – Abdelouahed Ben-Ncer (INSAP, Morocco)
"These findings open a new line of research... a new player in the early occupation of Europe." – Rosa Huguet, on the “Pink” fossil in Spain
"We have hundreds of flint items... further evidence of the spread of Homo sapiens." – Maya Oron, Israel Antiquities Authority

🔬 Discoveries Along Migration Routes

  • Negev Desert — Nubian flint tools (~100,000 ya). Source
  • Dmanisi, Georgia — Hominins dated ~1.8 million years ago. Details
  • Happisburgh, UK — Footprints ~850,000 years old. More

    • Read next: More on human fossils & early migration

    Published: July 23, 2025 • Source: UNESCO, Nature, NHM, Livescience, Washington Post

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