Scientists reveal that humans apparently occupied Ireland 2,500 years earlier than previously believed, due to crucial evidence of a knee bone or patella from a bear that was discovered back on 1903 at County Clare.

In this new study, scientists investigated this hacked bone via radiocarbon dating and found out that humans thrived on the island some 12,500 years ago that is earlier than historical claims. This patella fossil is housed under the National Museum of Ireland for almost 100 years before scientists analyzed its origins.

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The results of this study is a breakthrough discovery that can potentially rewrite the history of Ireland, especially in the field of archaeology where scientists have searched for decades of evidence that can trace back to the earliest humans living in the region.

According to archaeologist, Marion Dowd of Institute of Technology Sligo, scientists have been in the quest for direct evidence of Irish Paleolithics ever since the 19th century, and this is the first piece of the puzzle that has been revealed.

With the help of co-author of the study, Ruth Carden from the National Museum of Ireland, the team received financial aid for radiocarbon dating from the Royal Irish Academy where the first test was carried out at the Chrono Center. Another sample was also sent to the University of Oxford as experts validated the results of the tests and determined that humans slaughtered this bear, resulting in kneecap remains of the animal some 12,500 years ago.

Researchers say that this new finding will rewrite the antiquity of human occupation in Ireland that challenges traditional beliefs that certain ecosystems with native organisms and animals have naturally colonized the island before the arrival of humans.

Prior to this bear patella, the oldest evidence of human occupation in Ireland was uncovered in Mount Sandel in County Derry during the 1970s. These initial findings revealed that Ireland was occupied during 8,000 BC in the Mesolithic period, revealing that humans thrived in the region for 10,000 years.

This new study however, provides crucial evidence that ancient humans already occupied the island in the earlier Paleolithic era during 10,500 BC which is 12,500 years back. This new study is published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.