Revisiting Ancient Footprints: Uncovering a Longer Human History in the Americas

Fossilized human footprints found in New Mexico's White Sands National Park suggest that humans arrived in North America earlier than previously thought. The footprints, estimated to be between 21,000 and 23,000 years old, challenge the prevailing belief that humans crossed from Siberia to Alaska towards the end of the last Ice Age. The study also raises questions about the coexistence of humans and megafauna and their role in extinction. Critics have challenged the dating technique used, but new evidence from carbon-dating tree pollen supports the original findings. The debate continues, but the research highlights the need for inclusivity and the involvement of Indigenous voices in studying early Americans.