Archaeologists have uncovered what are now believed to be the world’s oldest known sandals, crafted from esparto grass and estimated to be over 7,000 years old. The ancient footwear was discovered inside a cave in southern Spain, offering a rare glimpse into prehistoric craftsmanship and daily life.
The find was made in the Cueva de los Murciélagos (Cave of the Bats) near the city of Granada, an area already known for prehistoric remains. The sandals are woven from braided esparto grass — a tough, fibrous plant native to the Mediterranean — and display a surprisingly sophisticated design for their time.
Radiocarbon dating places the artifacts between 6,200 and 7,400 years old, predating ancient Egyptian pyramids and even the first known written scripts. Alongside the sandals, researchers also found baskets, tools, and other organic materials remarkably well-preserved due to the cave’s stable, dry conditions.
“These sandals are a stunning example of early human innovation,” said lead archaeologist Dr. Antonio Rodríguez. “They show that prehistoric people not only adapted to their environment but had a sense of utility and craftsmanship that rivals what we might expect from much later societies.”
The discovery adds to the growing evidence of complex human activity in Europe during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition period and could redefine timelines in the study of prehistoric textiles and footwear.
The sandals are now undergoing preservation and will soon be displayed at the Museum of Archaeology in Almería, Spain.
Ask ChatGPT
