Discovering and preserving human fossil footprints at White Sands National Park, United States
Researchers at Bournemouth University (BU) used digital analysis to confirm the presence of human fossil footprints at White Sands National Park, New Mexico (WHSA).
Issue
Fossil footprints are an important part of the palaeontological and archaeological record. The US National Park Service (NPS) knew they had tracks of Ice Age animals at WHSA, such as giant ground sloths and mammoths, but they were unsure whether they had human tracks.
Approach
Geographers from BU developed analytical approaches for the capture and analysis of human footprints. This work was translated into the freeware DigTrace. The team have also pioneered the geo-prospection of human tracks using geophysical methods.
Subsequent research collaborations helped the NPS develop conservation management methods and approaches, enabling them to conserve digitally this eroding resource.
Impact
Methods for mapping hidden tracks using geophysics were developed. As a consequence, NPS staff had the tools to map the tracks for the first time. Human footprints were quickly confirmed and their interaction with Ice Age animals explored.
This work attracted a significant media profile. This platform of public interest was used to launch draft legislation to re-designate the White Sands National Monument as a Park, and in December 2019 White Sands became the 62nd National Park in America.
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How to cite
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) (2023) Discovering and preserving human fossil footprints at White Sands National Park, United States. Available at https://rgs.org/humanfossilfootprints Last accessed on: <date>