April 29, 2024

Ancient Human Footprints in New Mexico Dated to Ice Age

Footprints at the excavation siteNATIONAL PARK SERVICE, USGS, AND BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITYSo Odess, Bustos, and Bennett worked with a team to date the tracks more specifically. Radiocarbon dating of the seeds established the ages of the multiple layers that included tracks at in between 21,000 and 23,000 years old, long prior to the ice sheets pulled away. Then we would date seeds from the various layers and sure enough, the old ones are on the bottom and the middle-aged ones are in the middle and the youngest ones are at the top, and they line up the way we would anticipate if it were legitimate. As it happens, a research study paper published previously this year analyzed the geology of the White Sands Basin and cautioned that scientists require to keep in mind that such a vibrant landscape can impact the place of footprints and the dating of layers. Rachal also states that due to the fact that Odess and his group browsed for buried footprints within soil layers and were able to successfully date the layers, this issue fades.

Radiocarbon dating of the seeds established the ages of the numerous layers that consisted of tracks at in between 21,000 and 23,000 years old, long prior to the ice sheets pulled away. As it happens, a research study paper released earlier this year took a look at the geology of the White Sands Basin and cautioned that scientists need to remember that such a vibrant landscape can affect the area of footprints and the dating of layers. Rachal also states that since Odess and his group searched for buried footprints within soil layers and were able to effectively date the layers, this problem fades.