Youmbidi Findings Reveal Ancient Human Life
In Gabon’s Youmbidi rock shelter, French geoarchaeologist Richard Oslisly’s team has uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back 25,000 BC. Located in Lastourville’s dense forest, the cave has yielded stone tools from before 10,000 BC, an arrowhead, and dolomite, quartz, and jasper shards cut 10,000 years ago.
The site, occupied continuously for 12,000 years, offers insights into prehistoric central African life. Discoveries include one of the region’s oldest pottery pieces, dated over 6,500 years ago, and a snail-shell bead from 3,300–4,900 years ago, indicating sophisticated customs and technical innovation among early inhabitants.
Led by Geoffroy de Saulieu of France’s IRD Research Institute, the team is piecing together a “jigsaw puzzle” of clues, including human-like teeth for potential DNA analysis. These findings challenge stereotypes of prehistoric societies, revealing a rich social life and cultural practices in Gabon’s forests.
Paleoclimatologist Yannick Garcin emphasizes the cave’s role in understanding human resilience to past climate changes during the Holocene period. The discoveries, supported by Gabon’s National Agency of National Parks, aim to inform modern responses to environmental challenges by studying ancient human-nature relationships.
Oslisly, with 45 years in central Africa, calls for expanded research to unlock the region’s prehistoric secrets. The findings highlight Gabon’s forests as a critical archaeological frontier, offering lessons on adaptation that could shape solutions for today’s climate crises.