Researchers have discovered a remarkable set of fossilized footprints in New Mexico that provide insights into an ancient human species known as Homo hiedelbergensis. The footprints, which date back around 23,000 years, were found in hardened sediment and represent the first unequivocal evidence of this species in the Americas. The prints reveal details about the size, weight, and gait of these early humans, suggesting they were taller and more robust than modern humans. Importantly, the discovery challenges the prevailing theory that Homo sapiens were the first humans to reach the Americas. The findings open up new avenues for understanding human evolution and migration patterns across the globe. Further analysis of the footprints and the surrounding area could yield additional clues about the behavior and lifestyle of this enigmatic species.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/science/fossilized-footprints-ancient-human-species/index.html