Archaeologists working in Lesotho’s Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains have uncovered evidence that early humans survived harsh high-altitude environments far earlier than previously believed. Excavations at the Likonong rock shelter revealed human activity dating back roughly 242,000 years, making it the oldest known archaeological site in the region. The research, which began in 2023, suggests that early humans initially struggled to establish a permanent presence in the tough environment. However, a dramatic shift occurred around 144,000 years ago—during an ice age—when intensified fire use enabled sustained occupation. Researchers propose that increased cooperation, information-sharing, and collective living around hearths triggered a cascade of cultural and technological advances, thereby enabling humans to survive the extreme conditions. The discovery challenges earlier assumptions that prehistoric humans only thrived in warmer lowland environments and instead highlights how teamwork and fire use helped shape human evolution under extreme environmental pressures in southern Africa.
The Conversation
