In a bat cave located in Spain, scientists have unearthed what they believe to be the oldest known pair of shoes in Europe.

A study published in the journal Science Advances reveals that these sandals, crafted from woven grass, are estimated to be approximately 6,000 years old.

These shoes were part of a collection of ancient artifacts discovered in the Cave of the Bats, situated in Andalusia. This cave was initially explored by miners during the 19th century.

Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Alcala University in Spain have meticulously examined these objects, which include not only the ancient sandals but also baskets and sets of tools, NDTV reported.

According to Maria Herrero Otal, one of the co-authors of the study, these objects represent “the oldest and best-preserved set of plant fiber materials in southern Europe to date.”

She further noted that the diverse technological aspects and the treatment of raw materials demonstrate the remarkable skills of prehistoric communities.

The ancient footwear was initially uncovered in 1857 when miners looted the cave.

However, during the 1970s, when these artifacts were first dated, they were believed to be about 1,000 years more recent than the recent analysis suggests.

Written by staff