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Ancient Fossilized Butt-Drag Impression Discovered in Africa

10/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience reports a 126,000-year-old fossilized butt-drag impression from southern Africa, the first of its kind.
The impression measures 95 cm by 13 cm, with five striations in loose sand.
Dating with optically stimulated luminescence establishes age and rules out other causes.
Hyraxes produce hyraceum, a fossilized urine-dung mix important for understanding past climates.

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Story summary

African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience reports a 126,000-year-old fossilized butt-drag impression from southern Africa, the first of its kind.
The impression measures 95 cm by 13 cm, with five striations in loose sand.
Dating with optically stimulated luminescence establishes age and rules out other causes.
Hyraxes produce hyraceum, a fossilized urine-dung mix important for understanding past climates.