Researchers in southern Spain uncovered a 650 year old sandal made from woven grass inside an abandoned bearded vulture nest high on a mountain cliff. This find happened as part of a study on extinct bird sites that revealed over 200 human artifacts dating back centuries.
The Surprising Discovery in Remote Caves
Teams of ecologists and archaeologists explored 12 old nests of bearded vultures in the rugged mountains of southern Spain. These birds vanished from the area 70 to 130 years ago, but their homes stayed hidden and untouched. Experts turned to old records from the 18th and 19th centuries and talked with local elders in their 70s and 80s who shared stories of the birds. The effort paid off with a treasure of items that paint a picture of medieval life.
The nests sit in cool, dry caves on cliff sides, perfect spots for keeping things safe from weather and people. Workers rappelled down steep faces to reach them, a tough job that took years from 2008 to 2014. This work shows how nature can hold secrets of human history without us even knowing.
Key Artifacts Unearthed from the Nests
Among the finds, the star item is that grass sandal, dated to about 650 years old through carbon testing. It looks almost new, woven from esparto grass and twigs, a common material back then for everyday gear. Other objects include bits of leather, cloth scraps, and tools that hint at daily routines in medieval Spain.
Experts found 226 human made items in total, mixed with animal bones and eggshells. Some nests held full pieces like a slingshot or basket fragments, while others had smaller bits like ropes or horse tack. These relics span from 150 to 750 years old, offering a timeline of what people used over time.
Here is a list of some standout artifacts:
- Woven grass sandal, around 650 years old
- Crossbow bolt for hunting or defense
- Wooden lance tip, possibly from a shepherd’s tool
- Decorated sheep leather piece with red lines, dated to 630 years
- Esparto grass slingshot for small game
How These Nests Act as Natural Time Capsules
Bearded vultures build huge nests that last for generations, sometimes hundreds of years in the same spot. They grab anything nearby for materials, including lost human stuff from below. The cave settings keep out rain and sun, so items stay intact far longer than in open sites.
This preservation beats many traditional dig spots. For example, a recent find in Norway turned up Roman sandals over 1,500 years old, but those came from a bog. In Spain, another set from 6,200 years ago holds the record for oldest shoes on the continent. Yet none match the wild story of a bird’s home holding these treasures.
To show the mix of finds, here is a table breaking down the main categories:
| Category | Number Found | Examples | Age Range (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bones and Hooves | 2,203 | Animal remains from diet | Varies |
| Eggshell Fragments | 43 | Vulture reproduction clues | Recent to old |
| Leather Pieces | 72 | Sheepskin, some decorated | 150-650 |
| Cloth and Fabric | 129 | Woven scraps | 200-500 |
| Grass Items | 25 | Sandal, baskets, slingshot | 150-750 |
Life of the Bone-Eating Bearded Vulture
These birds stand out as the only ones that eat mostly bone, dropping them from heights to crack open for marrow. In the nests, over 2,100 bone pieces turned up, along with hooves, proving their unique diet. They once soared over Europe’s mountains, but hunting wiped them out in many places.
Spain’s southern hills lost them over a century ago due to farmers seeing them as threats to livestock. Today, just 309 breeding pairs live across Europe, making them the most at risk vulture. Reintroduction programs in the Pyrenees and Alps have boosted numbers, but southern Spain hopes to bring them back soon.
Recent events tie into this. In 2024, a poisoning incident killed several vultures in France, highlighting ongoing dangers. Experts say studying old nests helps track how environments changed, linking bird life to human impact over time.
Conservation Efforts and What Lies Ahead
Protecting bearded vultures means tackling poisons, habitat loss, and wind farms that clash with flight paths. Groups in Spain work with locals to monitor skies and educate on the birds’ role in cleaning ecosystems. The nest finds could spark more funding, as they blend history with wildlife care.
This discovery reminds us how past and present connect in nature. By saving these vultures, we guard not just birds but windows into our own story. Share your thoughts on this amazing find in the comments below, and spread the word to help raise awareness for conservation.
