Ancient Footprints Unearthed in North America, Dating Back 20,000+ Years

A new study using a different dating method has confirmed that fossilized human footprints found in White Sands, New Mexico are at least 21,000 years old, pushing back the timeline of human presence in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum. The study used radiocarbon dating of conifer pollen, which provided statistically identical ages to the original seed dating. Additionally, optically stimulated luminescence dating of quartz grains further supported the radiocarbon results. The footprints, which include those of a female and a toddler, suggest a division of labor among early humans, with teenagers and children responsible for "fetching and carrying" tasks.