Ancient Footprints of Australia
Hundreds of human footprints dating back to about 20,000BC – the oldest in Australia and the biggest collection of its kind in the world – have been discovered in a National Park in New South Wales.
They were left by children, adolescents and adults at the height of the last ice age as they ran and walked across a moist clay area.
Some people would have appeared to be hunting, with one very tall man sprint at about 20kmh.
The 457 footprints, of toddler-sized to a size 12 ‘bigfoot’ print were uncovered in a clay pan beneath sand dunes.
It brings these ancient people to life, for you can see how the mud squelched between their toes.
About 20,000 ago the now dry lakes would have held fish, mussels and crayfish.
The archeologists at the site estimate the height of the people from their foot size and speed. The prints date back to the height of the last ice age, an exciting time in Australia’s past, when Tasmania and many other parts of the country were glaciated. This is the earliest discovery of fossil footprints for Australia.
Recently two 17,000 year old skeletal remains were found about 6km away. They belonged to people who were athletic, strong and fit.
The site is closed to the public to preserve it.
From The West Australian Newspaper
Hundreds of human footprints dating back to about 20,000BC – the oldest in Australia and the biggest collection of its kind in the world – have been discovered in a National Park in New South Wales.
They were left by children, adolescents and adults at the height of the last ice age as they ran and walked across a moist clay area.
Some people would have appeared to be hunting, with one very tall man sprint at about 20kmh.
The 457 footprints, of toddler-sized to a size 12 ‘bigfoot’ print were uncovered in a clay pan beneath sand dunes.
It brings these ancient people to life, for you can see how the mud squelched between their toes.
About 20,000 ago the now dry lakes would have held fish, mussels and crayfish.
The archeologists at the site estimate the height of the people from their foot size and speed. The prints date back to the height of the last ice age, an exciting time in Australia’s past, when Tasmania and many other parts of the country were glaciated. This is the earliest discovery of fossil footprints for Australia.
Recently two 17,000 year old skeletal remains were found about 6km away. They belonged to people who were athletic, strong and fit.
The site is closed to the public to preserve it.
From The West Australian Newspaper
