Researchers have analyzed an ancient elephant molar and tusk fragments recovered from an archaeological site in northern Israel to reconstruct environmental conditions from nearly 700,000 years ago. The fossils, belonging to Palaeoloxodon antiquus or straight-tusked elephant, were found at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov in the Jordan Rift Valley alongside stone tools produced by early humans during the Acheulian tradition.
Scientists employed multiple analytical techniques to extract information from the elephant tooth itself, treating it as a record of its surrounding environment. CT scanning, 3D reconstruction, microscopic wear analysis, isotope geochemistry, and pollen examination revealed details about the ancient habitat. Chemical measurements indicated the elephant lived in an area with reliable water access, while pollen samples from nearby sediments documented diverse wetland vegetation including reeds, willows, and aquatic plants mixed with woodlands and grasslands.
The findings point to a productive landscape capable of supporting large mammal populations and early human communities. The location holds particular significance as the Hula Valley sits within the Levantine Corridor, a natural passage connecting Africa and Eurasia that facilitated ancient human and animal migration. Researchers suggest the region functioned as an ecological refuge, maintaining stable habitats and resources over extended periods.
Access to such environments featuring dependable water, vegetation, and animal resources would have been critical for early human populations traveling through unfamiliar terrain. The study was led by Hannah Farrell of the University of Haifa and Prof. Gonen Sharon of Tel-Hai University, with contributions from specialists in isotope analysis, archaeozoology, and palynology. The research was published in Quaternary Science Reviews and demonstrates the value of examining ancient landscapes alongside fossils and artifacts to understand conditions that influenced early human survival and movement.
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