A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature has revealed that Homo sapiens inhabited the area now known as the Anyama district in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as far back as 150,000 years ago—marking the oldest known human presence in a tropical forest environment. This discovery significantly predates previous findings in similar ecosystems, which only traced human activity back 70,000 years in Asia and Oceania.
The discovery was led by a team of around fifteen archaeologists and anthropologists from various countries. Their research highlights that African tropical forests were not an obstacle to early human settlement as previously assumed. Instead, these regions played a crucial role in human evolution due to their ecological diversity.
The site was first excavated in 1982 by renowned Ivorian archaeologist François Guédé Yiodé, now 77 and retired. Alerted by a geologist, Yiodé unearthed dozens of stone tools dating back to the Pleistocene period, which he preserved and later had analyzed in Germany. The tools include flint and quartz picks, choppers, and other implements likely used for cutting animal hides and processing materials.
Despite the significance of the find, Yiodé lamented the lack of government support, revealing he personally funded the initial excavation with 15 million CFA francs (around 22,000 euros). He criticized the Ivorian authorities for failing to protect the site, which was eventually destroyed by a landowner seeking to exploit it. “Archaeology here suffers from a lack of funding and political will,” he stated, expressing regret that his invaluable collection remains stored at his home instead of being displayed in a museum.
Researchers believe this study could reignite interest in Ivory Coast’s archaeological potential and encourage students to pursue studies in anthropology and archaeology. Eugénie Affoua Kouamé, a researcher at the Institute of African History, Art, and Archaeology, emphasized that several other Paleolithic sites remain unexplored due to limited resources and expertise.
The study not only rewrites part of human history but also calls attention to the need for greater investment in preserving Africa’s rich archaeological heritage.