NEWS

Scientists have recently confirmed that fossilized footprints discovered in New Mexico are estimated to be between 21,000 and 23,000 years old. This groundbreaking revelation suggests that the presence of humans in North America predates previous beliefs. The initial study, which unveiled these footprints embedded in the ground of White Sands National Park, was published in September 2021, generating significant discussions and raising doubts regarding the accuracy of the findings.

Previously, it was widely accepted that humans inhabited North America approximately 13,500 to 16,000 years ago. Consequently, the age of these footprints, some of which bear a striking resemblance to human foot structures with five toes, has sparked considerable curiosity. In response to these inquiries, researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other esteemed scientists have undertaken a follow-up study, employing two novel methodologies to ascertain the precise age of these prints.

"The immediate response within certain sectors of the archaeological community was that the precision of our dating methodology was inadequate to support the extraordinary assertion that humans inhabited North America during the Last Glacial Maximum," stated Jeff Pigati, a research geologist at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and co-author of the recent study. "However, our targeted approach in this current research has yielded significant results."

Initially, the scientists utilized seeds from the Ruppia cirrhosa plant discovered within the fossils. They employed radiocarbon dating to ascertain the age of these seeds. However, due to the aquatic nature of these plants and their ability to absorb carbon from water rather than air, there was a possibility of inaccuracies in the age estimation.

Consequently, in the present study, the researchers employed radiocarbon dating on conifer pollen, derived from terrestrial plants found in the same layers as the seeds. Kathleen Springer, a research geologist at USGS and co-author of the study, stated, "Even as the original findings were being published, we were actively pursuing additional lines of evidence to validate our results. We possessed confidence in our initial age estimations, supported by robust geological, hydrological, and stratigraphic evidence. However, we recognized the importance of independent chronological control."

The researchers meticulously isolated a substantial quantity of 75,000 pollen grains from the same layer and discovered that their age corresponded statistically with that of the Ruppia cirrhosa seeds.

To further verify their dating, the scientists also employed a distinct dating technique called optically stimulated luminescence on quartz grains found within the footprints. This analysis revealed a minimum age of approximately 21,500 years for the quartz.

According to the USGS, with three corroborating pieces of evidence, it is highly improbable that the age range of 21,000 to 23,000 years is incorrect.

According to the National Park Service, previous instances of footprints have been documented at White Sands. In 2006, footprints were initially discovered in a lakebed, prompting scientists to conduct further investigations. Subsequently, these footprints were excavated, revealing the presence of both human and sloth footprints. Additionally, direwolf prints were identified and their age was determined to be 18,000 years through the utilization of ancient seeds found in close proximity.

Furthermore, in 2018, the researchers came across footprints believed to belong to a female individual. These footprints provide a narrative that resonates with contemporary experiences. They depict her traversing a distance of nearly a mile, occasionally accompanied by the footprints of a toddler. The evidence suggests that she carried the child, intermittently shifting their position and occasionally placing them on the ground as they progressed. The footprints themselves exhibited a widening and slipping effect in the mud, attributable to the additional weight she bore.

In the recent study conducted in 2021, it was determined that the majority of the footprints primarily belonged to teenagers and children. This observation may be indicative of a division of labor, with teenagers assuming responsibilities related to fetching and carrying tasks, while children accompanied them on their journeys.