Ice Age Human Footprints Found in Utah Desert

Human footprints, presumably dating back to the end of the last ice Age, were found in Utah on the salt marshes of the US Air Force Proving Ground (UTTR).

The researchers accidentally noticed the "ghost tracks" when they were heading to the archaeological site in UTTR. "Ghost tracks" appear suddenly for a short time when the humidity conditions are suitable, and then disappear.

Scientists documented the prints, and conducted a radar survey of one of the two visible tracks. A total of 88 traces have been documented, including both adults and children, which gives an idea of family life during the Pleistocene.

"Based on the excavation of several prints, we found evidence that adults with children aged five to 12 years left bare footprints," said Daron Duke of the Far Western Anthropological Research Group. "The people were apparently walking in shallow water, the sand quickly filled in their print behind them—much like it happens on the beach—but there was a layer of mud under the sand that kept the print intact after filling."

According to Duke, since there have been no wetlands at this location for at least more than 10,000 years that could leave such footprints in this remote area of the Great Salt Lake Desert, the prints are probably more than 12,000 years old.