Ancient Footprints Rewrite History of Human Arrival in the Americas

Fossil human footprints discovered in New Mexico's White Sands national park have been confirmed as the oldest direct evidence of human presence in the Americas, dating back between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago. The findings challenge the previous belief that humans arrived in the Americas only a few thousand years before rising sea levels covered the Bering land bridge. The study used multiple lines of evidence, including ancient conifer pollen and quartz grains, to support the older date range. The footprints provide a clear indication of human presence and offer valuable insights into the peopling of the Americas.