Fossil footprints at the late Lower Paleolithic site of Schöningen (Germany): A new line of research to reconstruct animal and hominin paleoecology

• Published in: Quaternary science reviews 2023-06, Vol.310, p.108094, Article 108094
• Main Authors: Altamura, Flavio, Lehmann, Jens, Rodríguez-Álvarez, Bárbara, Urban, Brigitte, van Kolfschoten, Thijs, Verheijen, Ivo, Conard, Nicholas J., Serangeli, Jordi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hominin footprints; Homo heidelbergensis; Middle pleistocene; Palaeoloxodon antiquus; Paleoenvironment; Vertebrate ichnology
• ISSN: 0277-3791; 1873-457X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108094

The ca. 300 ka Paleolithic sites of Schöningen in northern Germany yielded a number of localities with archeological and paleontological remains representing a rich paleoenvironmental record of the late Middle Pleistocene in northern Europe. An important line of research focused on the ichnology of two localities: Schöningen 13 I-Fs2 and Schöningen 13 II-2 Untere Berme. Here we present the first detailed study of these fossil footprints, which provides insights on Schöningen's paleoenvironment and a snapshot of the mammals once living in the area. Herds of elephants and other species of herbivores congregated along the muddy shores of a paleolake during birch, pine and grass-rich woodland phases. In addition, three potential hominin footprints, probably belonging to a late Homo heidelbergensis, are recorded at Schöningen 13 II-2 Untere Berme. This confirms the complementary potential of ichnology in reconstructing a reliable picture of prehistoric sites. •Fossil tracks at the 300 ka Paleolithic sites of Schöningen (northern Germany) are described.•Ichnology provides insights into paleoenvironmental and paleoecological conditions of the site.•Herds of elephants and several species of herbivores frequented the paleolake.•Three potential hominin footprints are documented.•The multidisciplinary study offers a reliable picture of the prehistoric life.