Footprints have been discovered on a beach in Happisburgh, Norfolk and are believed to be over 800,000 years old, making them the oldest footprints ever discovered out of Africa.
According to BBC News, the findings have been published in the Plos One journal. The footprints were found last year during low tide in May as the rough waves in the area have uncovered the hidden footprints.
British Museum's Dr. Nick Ashton said the footprints are "one of the most important discoveries, if not the most important discovery that has been made on [Britain's] shore." He added, "It will rewrite our understanding of the early human occupation of Britain and indeed of Europe."
The Happisburgh footprints have since washed away, leaving only casts and video evidence as they took 3D scans and photographs for recording purposes.
Only three older sets of footprints have ever been discovered and those are all in Africa. The Guardian reports the oldest European footprints before this discovery were found in Italy and are only 345,000 years old.
Since the footprints were found, people have been watching the site to see if any more are unearthed during the constant erosion from the rough seas.
Researchers are hoping to eventually find some human remains at the Happisburgh site, but have so far not found anything besides tools.
image: Wikimedia Commons
