Researchers Uncover Prehistoric Elephant Footprints in Spain

An international research team has identified the first fossilized footprints of the Quaternary period in the coastal dunes of Murcia, Spain. These footprints, attributed to the Palaeoloxodon antiquus, commonly known as the straight-tusked elephant, provide a significant glimpse into the movement of megafauna during the Last Interglacial, approximately 125,000 years ago. The findings were published on December 17, 2025, in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.

The research, titled “New vertebrate footprint sites in the latest interglacial dune deposits on the coast of Murcia (southeast Spain). Ecological corridors for elephants in Iberia?”, highlights the ecological significance of these coastal landscapes. The study was coordinated by Carlos Neto de Carvalho from the Geology Office of Idanha-a-Nova and the University of Lisbon. Collaborating researchers included Fernando Muñiz Guinea and Miguel Cortés-Sánchez from the University of Seville, as well as Francisco J. Jiménez Espejo and Jon Camuera from the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences in Granada. Experts from Portugal, including Noel Moreira and João Belo, also contributed to the research.

The study confirmed four distinct areas within the coastal ecosystem that contain fossil footprints, showcasing a diverse range of mammals that thrived during the marine isotopic stage (MIS 5e). The most notable discovery occurred at Torre de Cope, where a 2.75-meter-long trackway of the proboscidean was found. This trackway features four rounded footprints, each measuring between 40-50 cm in diameter, indicative of an adult Palaeoloxodon antiquus. Researchers estimate this elephant stood around 2.3 meters tall at the hip, weighed approximately 2.6 tonnes, and was over 30 years old.

In addition to elephant tracks, the research team identified footprints from a medium-sized mustelid in Calblanque, measuring 1.5 meters in length. The arrangement of ten circular footprints hints at slow movements near water sources. Isolated footprints of a canid, measuring 10 × 8 cm and bearing claw marks, further suggest the presence of predators such as wolves (Canis lupus). Additionally, bifid footprints compatible with red deer (Cervus elaphus) were documented, indicating movement through the coastal dunes and scrubland. Notably, the trail of a young equid (Equus ferus) was also recorded, marking the most recent evidence of this species in the southeastern region of the peninsula.

This research supports the hypothesis of ecological corridors along the coast, which may have facilitated seasonal migrations between Mediterranean forests and coastal areas during a time of enhanced humidity. The findings not only shed light on the habits of ancient wildlife but also contribute to understanding the environmental landscape of the region.

The coastal corridors identified in Murcia prompt a reevaluation of the Iberian Peninsula’s role during the Pleistocene. The area may have served as a climate refuge for various species while acting as a migration route for large mammals, including elephants. The study connects these coastal corridors to paleoanthropology, suggesting a geographical link between the movement of elephants in southeastern Iberia and known Neanderthal sites, indicating these areas were rich in resources vital for both humans and megafauna.

This groundbreaking research underscores the importance of fossil records in reconstructing past ecosystems and enhances our understanding of the interactions between ancient species and their environments. The findings provide a valuable context for future studies aimed at exploring the evolutionary history of both fauna and early human populations in the region.