Human footprints are 1.5 million years old

Prehistoric feet are exactly like us, and scientists have found 1.5 million-year-old footprints, some because their feet can wear shoes of the size 9 left.

The findings in northern Kenya show the oldest proof of the foot skeleton of modern people. They also help recount the story of the ancestors of humans, when fully transformed from climbing on trees to walking on the ground.

John Harris, an archaeologist at the Koobi Fora Field School, Rutgers University, said: 'In a way, it's like putting skin on your bones. These traces are very well preserved. '

Almost like humans

Harris and colleagues published in Science magazine on February 27 about the detection of footprints on two layers of sedimentary rock. The upper sediment consists of two streaks, two footprints, a group of 7 footprints , and many individual footprints. The sediment below also has a trail of two footprints and a single footprint may be that of a smaller teenager.

On the cover of Science magazine, February 26, 2009, an optical laser scan of prehistoric footprints in Ileret, Kenya, displays colors to illustrate the depth. (Photo: Matthew Bennett / Bournemouth University)

Scientists recognize that footprints may belong to a member of the Homo ergaster group, the earlier form of Homo erectus. These footprints include features of modern feet such as round heel, shape like our feet, and the big toe parallel to the other fingers.

In contrast, monkeys have more bent fingers and toes that can cling to tree branches. The earliest human ancestors, such as Australopithecus afarensis, still have very similar characteristics to monkeys about 2 million years ago - the famous 'Lucy' is one of these examples.

Missing part

New footprints at Ileret, Kenya, are very close to a living area of ​​prehistoric people. In 1984, researchers discovered a nearly complete Homo erectus skeleton called 'Turkana Boy' , near Lake Turkana.

Photograph of the upper face of the footprint; the second toe is partially obscured by a third toe. (Photo: Matthew Bennett / Bournemouth University)

Turkana Boy's foot bone is not well preserved.But the newly discovered footprints are very clear.

Harris told LiveScience: 'A lot of people have predicted this, but now we have real evidence of the shape of the modern foot. It's like a giant jigsaw puzzle, and these footprints complete the skeleton found on the other side of the lake. '

Time can change all

Modern feet mark one of the major changes in prehistoric people, especially the shape of Homo erectus about 2 million years ago . Homo erectus is the first family member to resemble the body of modern Homo sapiens.

'We found a very different family at this stage,' Harris said, pointing to a short increase in size and stride change between Australopithecus (the first person to live 4 million years ago, and the last person died about 3 to 2 million years ago ) and Homo erectus. The Homo erectus family can move faster and more efficiently on a larger scale.

Close-up of Christine Galvagna, a student at Rutgers at the time, meticulously cleansed human footprints while Professor Harris (dark blue T-shirt) observed. (Photo: David Braun)

This is consistent with the development cycle of wider distribution areas including artifacts such as working tools from 1.5 million to 1 million years ago.

Climate change and change of habitat may be factors that make Homo erectus move further to find food. But improved walking and running ability can allow them to start big hunts.

Harris said: 'You can think about the quality of the meal here, because they may have more meat in their meals. They may have competed with other larger meat-eating groups such as lions, leopards and even carnivorous wild cats. '

Discovery opens new directions

Homo erectus footprints lead us further into the past of human evolution, and researchers can redirect them to earlier examples of physical changes in ancestral humans.

Optical laser scanning image a series of footprints showing the size and depth. (Photo: Matthew Bennett / Bournemouth University)

'This discovery will again bring about controversy over the Laetoli trace , ' Harris stressed, referring to footprints preserved in volcanic ash about 3.6 million years ago in Tanzania. Archaeologists continue to debate whether older traces of 'Lucy' reveal that Australopithecus walks on two feet easily or awkwardly.

Other findings may still be unexplored with the latest footprints in the Ileret area. This prehistoric region is close to many water sources so there is a muddy surface, which can preserve a lot of animal traces.