Fossil footprints show humans lived in North America more than 21,000 years ago — several thousand years earlier than scientists once believed.
The footprints are the earliest firm evidence for humans in the Americas and show people must have arrived here before the last Ice Age.
The footprints at White Sands were dated by examining the seeds of an aquatic plant — Ruppia cirrhosa, commonly known as ditchgrass — that once thrived along the shores of the dried-up lake. According to researchin the journal Science and co-authored by Bustos, the ancient ditchgrass seeds were found in layers of hard earth both above and below the many human footprints at the site and radiocarbon dated to determine their age.
The team has studied the footprints at White Sands National Park for years, following the tracks with ground-penetrating radar and excavating trenches.“A footprint is a really good, unequivocal data point,” he said. “That’s the importance of this site — we know they were there.” It’s long been debated if humans first arrived in the Americas via a northern route from Siberia either before or after the Last Glacial Maximum, when vast sheets of ice would have made migration along the Pacific Coast or through western Canada impossible.
“There are multiple footprint layers spanning a significant amount of time, suggesting a sustained human presence in the area during the Last Glacial Maximum, as opposed to a single event,” he said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fossilized footprints show humans made it to North America much earlier than first thoughtResearchers studying fossilized human footprints in New Mexico say they have the first unequivocal evidence that humans were in North America at least 23,000 years ago.
Read more »
Birds Thrived During Covid-19 Lockdowns, New Study ShowsFrom hummingbirds to eagles, birds across North America flocked to cities that had locked down in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new study
Read more »
Stunning image shows moon crater caused by asteroid impact 108 million years agoThe high-resolution image of the Tycho crater was taken by a telescope at the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia, using new radar technology that could reveal the solar system's secrets.
Read more »
Shawn Mendes Announces 2022 'Wonder: the World Tour'Shawn Mendes has announced the dates for his 2022 'Wonder: the World Tour.'
Read more »
Only photographer to attend JFK Jr.'s wedding 25 years ago shares intimate memoriesThe late couple’s big day was actually a small and sweet affair.
Read more »
Back Together! Lark Voorhies Returns for 'Saved by the Bell' Reboot Season 2Check out stars, from shows and movies like 'That '70s Show' and 'Full House,' who have come together years after they took their last bows together!
Read more »