The 15,600-year-old footprint confirms human history in the Americas

Scientists have discovered human footprints dating back to 15,600 years in southern Chile. This is considered the oldest trace of humanity in America.

According to Reuters, footprints were first found in 2010 by a student at Austral University in Chile. Since then, scientists have taken years to eliminate the possibility that this footprint belongs to another animal, and also to determine its date.

The footprint was discovered at the excavation site of Pilauco in the city of Osorno, 820 km south of Santiago, where the scientist began searching for historical traces since 2007.

After finding footprints, they dated it by the method of carbon isotopes with the surrounding organic plant parts.

The footprint of human feet dating back to 15,600 years was excavated in Osorno, Chile in April 2019.Photo: Reuters.

Geologist Mario Pino said the footprint belonged to a 70 kg person of the Hominipes Modernus race, closely related to Homo Sapiens.

Karen Moreno, an Austral University archaeologist and head of the research team, said the scientists found the bones of animals near the excavation area, including the skeleton of the original elephant, But they concluded that this footprint is a human product.

This expert said this is the first human trace in the Americas dating back more than 12,000 years.

"Gradually in South America we find archaeological sites with evidence of human emergence, but this is the oldest trace across the Americas," said Moreno.

The excavation area has many geological values, with traces of American ancestors of elephants and horses, as well as more recent traces of humanity.

According to Zing