Archaeologists Unearth 12,000-Year-Old Human Footprints in Utah’s Remote Desert
Discovery and Investigation
While conducting archaeological research on an Air Force base in Utah, Cornell researcher Thomas Urban and colleague Daron Duke stumbled upon a series of intriguing tracks in the desert salt flat. Closer examination revealed what appeared to be preserved human footprints.
Urban, an expert in studying “ghost tracks” (footprints that emerge under specific moisture conditions), realized the potential significance of these findings. With the help of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), the researchers meticulously surveyed the area, uncovering a total of 88 individual footprints from both adults and children.
Contextualizing the Discovery
The discovery of these footprints is particularly surprising given that humans have not inhabited this remote desert region for thousands of years. Scientists believe that the footprints date back approximately 12,000 years to the late Pleistocene era.
During this period, Utah’s Great Salt Lake Desert was a vibrant wetland ecosystem, providing a habitable environment for humans. As the lake began to dry up towards the end of the last ice age, the wetland conditions preserved the footprints in the soft mud beneath the infilling sand.
Significance and Implications
The discovery of these ancient footprints offers valuable insights into the lives and movements of humans during the Pleistocene era. The researchers believe that the individuals were likely walking through shallow water, leaving their impressions in the sand.
The use of GPR technology to uncover hidden footprints has proven to be a groundbreaking technique. This discovery highlights the potential for GPR to reveal previously unknown archaeological sites and shed light on human history in regions where traditional excavation methods are challenging.
Expanding the Search
The researchers are currently working to confirm the exact age of the footprints and to analyze them further for clues about the people who left them. Their findings suggest that other hidden pieces of history may be waiting to be discovered across the western United States.
Urban and Duke are eager to explore other potential sites where GPR could be used to uncover ancient footprints. “We have long suspected that there might be other locations with similar footprints, and our success in Utah confirms that,” Urban said. “GPR is a powerful tool that can help us uncover hidden glimpses into our past.”
The Footprints of Time
The discovery of these 12,000-year-old human footprints is a testament to the enduring nature of human existence. These preserved impressions offer a tangible connection to our ancestors and provide valuable insights into the lives they lived in a distant era.
As researchers continue to explore and uncover ancient footprints using innovative techniques like GPR, our understanding of human history will continue to expand, revealing the rich tapestry of our shared past.