CNN —New analysis has identified the oldest shoes ever discovered in Europe, according to a study published this week in the journal Science Advances. The ancient footwear, along with Mesolithic baskets and other tools, was first discovered back in 1857, when a cave in southern Spain was looted by miners. The sandals were made of grasses as well as other materials, including leather, lime and ramie bast, a type of natural fiber. Using the descriptions provided by Góngora, the study hypothesizes that the bodies were buried wearing the sandals. The first phase was related to the Early Holocene hunter-gatherer populations, and the second phase to Middle Holocene farmers, researchers said.

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Persons: Manuel de Góngora, Martínez, bast, ”, ” Francisco Martínez Sevilla Organizations: CNN, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Alcalá University, Adv, Góngora Locations: Europe, Spain, Spanish, Madrid, Granada