Researchers recently unearthed ancient footprints in White Sands National Park. These prints, found in the dry bed of a long-vanished Lake Otero, date back to the Last Glacial Maximum, between 26,500 and 19,000 years ago. This discovery challenges the belief that humans arrived in North America only around 16,000 years ago.
A study published in the journal Science, led by Professor Matthew Bennett of Bournemouth University, suggests that humans inhabited this part of New Mexico at least 7,000 years earlier than earlier theories proposed.
To determine the age of the footprints, researchers radiocarbon dated Ruppia cirrhosa seeds found in sediment layers above and below the tracks. The dates showed human activity between 23,000 and 21,000 years ago. According to Dr. Kathleen Springer of the U.S. Geological Survey, these footprints represent the oldest known evidence of humans in the Americas.
Historically, most archaeology experts have been hesitant to accept dates earlier than 16,000 years due to a lack of solid proof. However, findings from White Sands shift that timeline significantly. Professor Vance Holliday from the University of Arizona remarked that this discovery changes our understanding of human migration across the continent.
The footprints indicate not just wandering travelers but a community. Most prints were made by teenagers and children, implying that this area served as a living, breathing environment. As Professor Bennett noted, the patterns suggest interactions among different age groups, from play to survival activities.
Alongside human tracks, researchers also found footprints of extinct animals, such as mammoths and giant ground sloths. This adds depth to our understanding of the ecosystem these early humans inhabited.
Despite their historical significance, these footprints face immediate threats. Erosion in Alkali Flat, where the tracks were discovered, is rapidly damaging the site. David Bustos, the park’s resource manager, expressed concern that while the footprints offer valuable insights into human history, they are at risk of being lost forever.
In summary, the footprints at White Sands provide a remarkable glimpse into early human life in North America, illustrating a narrative rich in community and interaction, while also reminding us of the fragility of our heritage.
