This is what New Mexico's site may have looked like between 21,000 and 23,000 Years ago, when the human footprints were taken. (Image credit: Karen Carr)
New Mexico's fossilized footprints of human feet reveal that humans lived in the Americas at the peak of the last ice age. This discovery, researchers believe, is conclusive evidence that early migration to New World occurred.
Scientists noted that although the footprints found in the Americas may not be the oldest evidence of human arrival, they could be the first unambiguous proof that humans were there during the last Ice Age.
Although the arrival of the first humans in the Americas was an important step in human expansion, the exact timing of this historic event is still highly debated. Archaeologists have long believed that Clovis people were the first people to move to the Americas, based on the 13,000 year old stone tools.
Similar: In photos: Clovis culture and stone tools
Researchers recently discovered a lot of evidence for pre-Clovis artifacts. Scientists revealed last year that Chiquihuite Cave, central Mexico, contained stone artifacts that were at least 26500 years old. Computer models also showed that the cave was located far inland in the Americas. This distance from the Old World, from which migrants arrived, suggested that humans may have entered the New World around 33,000 years ago.
However, it remains controversial as to the date of the first archaeological evidence of human settlement in the Americas. Scientists who excavated Chiquihuite Cave suggested to others that they might suggest that other stones found there may not be of human origin, but that they are simply "geofacts" or normal rocks that appear artificial.
60 footprints found in an ancient lake bed in the White Sands National Park, south central New Mexico, are strong evidence that humans occupied this area between 21,000 and 23,000 Years ago.
These prints were taken during the Last Glacial Maximum. This was the period between 19,000 and 26,500 Years ago, when the ice age reached its peak and glaciers covered approximately one-third Earth's surface.
Matthew Bennett, an ichnologist from Bournemouth University, England, said that the White Sands footprints are unambiguous evidence of early occupation. "There are many early sites proposed, including Chiquihuite. However, they are all disputable by someone. The first unambiguous data point in this debate is the footprints. (Ichnologists study trace fossils such as fossilized footprints or tracks.
Researchers found 60 fossil footprints of human beings in White Sands National Park, south central New Mexico. (Image credit: National Park Service. USGS. Bournemouth University.
Bennett stated that the prints were taken on an area once considered a wetland edge. It was a "bit more wet than it is today, but still very dry." There are also footprints of ground sloths, mammoths, ground sloths and felines.
Researchers used carbon-dating methods to determine the age of the prints by comparing seeds found in the sediments. Bennett stated that although it isn't the oldest site, it has unambiguous evidence which supports its significance.
The footprints found in Namibia were similar to the fossilized footprints of humans that researchers had previously examined. They were made by individuals with flatter feet than those seen in modern footprints.
Fossil human footprints were found in a trench at this site. (Image credit: National Park Service. USGS. Bournemouth University.
These footprints seem to be mostly from children and teens; older footprints of adults are more common. Researchers suggested that this could be due to a division in labor, where adults were responsible for skilled tasks and teenagers were delegated fetching or carrying duties, with children tag along.
These results show that at least 2,000 years ago, people lived in southwestern North America. Bennett stated that they believe they were there for much more time than we currently have the ability to determine.
These prints were taken before the closing of the ice-free corridor between Asia and North America. There was also a Pacific coast route through which people could have traveled from the Old World, which is Africa, Europe, and Asia, to the New World. Bennett stated that these new discoveries suggest that people traveled to the Americas in the millennia prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. This allowed for "plenty time" for people to travel south via whatever route they choose.
Researchers believe that the discovery that humans may have been present in Americas suggests that ancient hunters pursued megafauna and mammoths in the New World. The over-sized creatures would have likely died sooner if they had not. Researchers also suggested that this raises the possibility of humans playing a role in megafauna's extinctions. This was previously believed to have occurred before humans arrived in the Americas.
These footprints can help people today feel a connection to the past. Bennett said that footprints are an amazing way to do this. "Everyone has left footprints on the beaches at one time or another and they can help us connect with the past."
After January 2020, the pandemic ended work at this location. Bennett stated that the researchers plan to resume their research at the site in January 2022, "to try and find more about those who left the tracks," Bennett stated.
Science, the September 24th issue contains the scientists' findings.
Original publication on Live Science
