Unearthed ancient human footprints a huge historical step

BRITISH scientists yesterday claimed they have unearthed 40,000 year-old human footprints in central Mexico which shatter previous theories on how humans first colonised the Americas.

Dr Silvia Gonzalez, from Liverpool John Moores University, who led the team of researchers, said the findings were “the tip of the iceberg” and would help rewrite the history books.

She said the discovery, near to the city of Puebla, 130 kilometres south-east of Mexico City, challenges the traditionally held view that settlers first crossed the Bering Straits, from Russia to Alaska, at the end of the last ice age around 11,500 to 11,000 years ago.

The discovery of footprints in the Valsequillo Basin, in September 2003, provides new evidence that humans settled in the Americas as early as 40,000 years ago, Mr Gonzalez said.

The footprints were found in an abandoned quarry close to the Cerro Toluquilla volcano and were subsequently studied and dated by a multinational team of scientists.

Mr Gonzalez said: “The footprints were preserved as trace fossils in volcanic ash along what was the shoreline of an ancient volcanic lake.”