The journal Nature reports that 350,000-year-old footprints have been found in Italy.

Delving into the world of groundbreaking scientific discovery, we encounter two fascinating subjects: the venerable scientific journal Nature, a cornerstone of global research, and the captivating archaeological site known as the Ciampate del Diavolo, or "Devil's Footprints," in Italy.

The Enduring Legacy of Nature: A Scientific Journal's Journey

Born in the autumn of 1869, Nature emerged from London, England, as a visionary weekly scientific journal. Its founders, Norman Lockyer and Alexander Macmillan, envisioned a public forum for scientific innovations, a space where burgeoning ideas could be shared and debated. From these humble beginnings, Nature has blossomed into a multidisciplinary powerhouse, revered globally for its peer-reviewed research spanning a vast array of academic disciplines, primarily within the realms of science and technology.

A Global Reach and Unwavering Commitment to Science

Today, Nature operates under the umbrella of the international scientific publishing giant Springer Nature, boasting core editorial offices strategically located across the United States, continental Europe, and Asia. This global footprint allows the journal to truly capture the pulse of scientific advancement worldwide. Its influence is undeniable; by the 2019 Journal Citation Reports' Science Edition, Nature stood as one of the world's most cited scientific journals, boasting an impressive impact factor of 42.778. This metric solidifies its position as one of the most-read and highly prestigious academic journals globally, attracting an online readership of approximately three million unique users per month as of 2012.

The mid-20th century marked a significant editorial expansion for Nature, as it redoubled its efforts in explanatory and scientific journalism, making complex discoveries accessible to a broader scientific audience. The late 1980s and early 1990s witnessed further growth, establishing a network of editorial offices outside Britain and launching ten new, specialized supplementary publications, such as Nature Materials, catering to niche scientific fields. More recently, since the late 2000s, Nature has introduced dedicated weekly editorial and current affairs columns, even featuring electoral endorsements, demonstrating its evolving role in the scientific discourse.

Content, Standards, and Controversies

At its heart, Nature journal remains dedicated to its founding principle: publishing research from active scientists. Editorial standards prioritize technical readability, ensuring that the cutting-edge papers (often dense and highly technical summaries of larger works) are digestible by the expert community. Beyond core research, each issue also includes articles of general interest to the scientific community, covering topics like business, funding, scientific ethics, and research breakthroughs. The journal even offers sections on books, arts, and short science fiction stories, showcasing its broad appeal.

The main research featured typically consists of lightly edited papers—articles or letters—highlighting innovations or breakthroughs in any scientific or technological field. These contributions are internationally acclaimed for upholding exceptionally high research standards. However, with such prominent exposure comes scrutiny; Nature has, at various times, faced controversy regarding its handling of academic dishonesty, the application of the scientific method, and its news coverage. Despite these challenges, its rigorous peer-review process ensures quality, with fewer than 8% of submitted papers ultimately accepted for publication. In recognition of its profound contributions, Nature (alongside its peer, Science) was awarded the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for Communications and Humanity in 2007.

FAQs About Nature Journal

What is Nature?
Nature is a British weekly multidisciplinary scientific journal, renowned globally for publishing peer-reviewed research primarily in science and technology.
When was Nature founded?
It was founded in autumn 1869 by Norman Lockyer and Alexander Macmillan.
What makes Nature prestigious?
Nature is considered one of the most prestigious academic journals due to its rigorous peer-review process, high impact factor (42.778 in 2019), international acclaim, and its role as a primary forum for groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
Who publishes Nature?
Nature is published by Springer Nature, an international scientific publishing company.
What kind of content does Nature publish?
It publishes highly technical research papers (articles and letters), news, editorials, and general interest articles on scientific business, ethics, funding, and breakthroughs, as well as sections on books, arts, and science fiction.

The Ancient Echoes of Ciampate del Diavolo: Italy's "Devil's Footprints"

Moving from the realm of published science to ancient human history, we uncover the intriguing site of the Ciampate del Diavolo, a name that translates evocatively from Neapolitan as "Devil's Footprints" or "Devil's Trails." This remarkable locality is situated near the extinct Roccamonfina volcano in the picturesque region of northern Campania, Italy.

A Glimpse into Prehistoric Life

The site is named for a series of fossilized footprints, incredibly preserved within pyroclastic flow deposits, which have been precisely dated to an astonishing 350,000 years ago. These ancient imprints have been attributed to bipedal hominids, with the leading scientific theory pointing to Homo heidelbergensis, a species known to have inhabited this region during that epoch.

What makes the Ciampate del Diavolo so compelling are the three distinct sets of tracks, indicating that three individual hominids navigated a steep slope on the flank of the volcano, deliberately moving away from its crater. These precious tracks lay hidden for millennia, preserved under a protective layer of volcanic ash. It was likely erosion, occurring sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, that gradually revealed them to the modern world.

Local Legends and Scientific Discovery

Before scientific examination, local folklore wove a vivid tale around these mysterious imprints. The community attributed the footprints to the Devil himself, believing him to be the only being capable of walking unharmed on molten lava. This cultural interpretation adds a rich layer of local history to the geological marvel. However, it wasn't until archaeologists examined the site in 2002 that the true scientific significance of the Devil's Footprints was fully understood and identified as genuine hominid tracks.

Their discovery immediately placed the Ciampate del Diavolo among the most important archaeological finds globally. These footprints represent the second oldest set of hominid footprints known outside of Africa, surpassed only by the remarkable Happisburgh footprints found in the UK, offering invaluable insights into the migration and behavior of our early ancestors.

FAQs About Ciampate del Diavolo

What is Ciampate del Diavolo?
The Ciampate del Diavolo, or "Devil's Footprints," is an archaeological site in Italy featuring fossilized hominid footprints preserved in volcanic deposits.
Where is Ciampate del Diavolo located?
It is located near the extinct Roccamonfina volcano in northern Campania, Italy.
How old are the footprints?
The footprints are dated to approximately 350,000 years ago.
Which hominids are believed to have made the footprints?
They are attributed to bipedal hominids, possibly Homo heidelbergensis.
Why are they called "Devil's Footprints"?
Local people attributed the prints to the Devil, believing he was the only one who could walk on lava without harm, before archaeologists identified them as hominid.
What is the significance of these footprints?
The Ciampate del Diavolo footprints are the second oldest set of hominid footprints known outside Africa, providing crucial evidence of early human presence and movement in Europe.