Story perspectives

Ancient Hyrax Fossils Unveil 126,000-Year-Old Secrets

11/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience found two rock hyrax fossil traces on the Cape south coast of South Africa, including a butt-drag impression dated to 126,000 years—the first of its kind globally.
The second trace dates to 76,000 years and informs the Pleistocene environment and hyrax behavior.
Hyrax trace fossils include coprolites and urolites, aiding studies of past climates and ecosystems, while hyraceum has traditional medicinal uses.

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Story summary

Researchers from the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience found two rock hyrax fossil traces on the Cape south coast of South Africa, including a butt-drag impression dated to 126,000 years—the first of its kind globally.
The second trace dates to 76,000 years and informs the Pleistocene environment and hyrax behavior.
Hyrax trace fossils include coprolites and urolites, aiding studies of past climates and ecosystems, while hyraceum has traditional medicinal uses.