Rainforest Discovery Reveals Early Humans in Rainforest 150,000 Years Ago, Rewriting Human Evolution History

By Gio Farley
Published: May 21 2026, 07:53 AM EDT



Scientists believed early humans mainly thrived in open grasslands and coastal regions where food and movement were easier. Dense tropical forests were often viewed as too difficult for ancient populations to survive in for long periods. A major rainforest discovery in West Africa is now changing that understanding and forcing researchers to rethink parts of human history.

Archaeologists working at an ancient site in Côte d'Ivoire uncovered evidence suggesting early humans in rainforest environments were living there around 150,000 years ago. The finding pushes back the known timeline for rainforest habitation by tens of thousands of years and is being described as one of the most important breakthroughs in recent paleoanthropology. The discovery also reveals how adaptable ancient humans may have been long before agriculture, cities, or advanced technology existed.

Ancient Rainforest Humans May Have Lived in Tropical Forests Much Earlier Than Expected

The site at the center of the study, known as Bété I, was first excavated decades ago. Researchers initially found stone tools but lacked the scientific technology needed to determine their true age. A modern international research team recently returned to the site and applied advanced dating methods that changed everything.

Scientists determined the artifacts were approximately 150,000 years old. According to researchers, this makes the site the oldest known evidence of humans living in a dense tropical rainforest in Africa. Previous evidence of long-term rainforest occupation in Africa dated to much later periods.

Earlier discoveries in Southeast Asia showed humans surviving in tropical forests roughly 70,000 years ago, but the new evidence from West Africa pushes the timeline back dramatically.

More:
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/72985/20260521/rainforest-discovery-reveals-early-humans-rainforest-150000-years-ago-rewriting-human-evolution.htm