A track in the Tanana: Forensic analysis of a Late Holocene footprint from central Alaska

Smith, Gerad M.; Parsons, Ted; Harrod, Ryan P.; Holmes, Charles E.; Reuther, Joshua D.; Potter, Ben A.

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.03.016

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…For example, a recent publication describes a Late Pleistocene trackway in New Mexico which has associated human and giant ground sloth footprints dating between 15,500-and 10,000-year-old (Bustos et al 2018). Willey et al (2009) provide a summary of Holocene human footprints reported from North America, with a more recent discovery reported from Swan Point Alaska dated to 1840 calBP (Smith et al 2019). Overall, however, human tracks appear to be an extremely rare site type across the continent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Re-creation of the Depositional Context in Which Late Pleistocene Tracks Were Found on the Pacific Coast of Canada

McLaren

Mackie

Fedje

2021

Reading Prehistoric Human Tracks

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To better understand the depositional context of Late Pleistocene human tracks found at archaeology site EjTa-4 on Calvert Island, on the Pacific Coast of Canada, we present here the results of an experiment designed to recreate the conditions by which these tracks were formed, preserved and then revealed through excavation. Based on radiocarbon ages on small twigs and the analysis of sediments and microfossils, the interpretation of the site formation processes relate that the tracks were impressed into a clayey soil substrate just above the high tide line between 13,317 and 12,633 calBP. The features were subsequently encapsulated by black sand, which washed over the tracks from the nearby intertidal zone during a storm event. To test this interpretation, we enlisted the aid of high school student volunteers to recreate the conditions by which the tracks were formed. A clayey substrate was prepared in a laboratory setting at the University of Victoria and a few plant macrofossils were placed on top it. This was followed by having the students create tracks in the clay, which were then covered with a layer of sand. Upon excavation of these experimental tracks, we found that they had a very similar character to those found in the field, including the pressing of macrofossils into the clay by the weight of the track maker. These results support the interpretation and chronological assessment of the depositional events that occurred during late Pleistocene times at archaeology site EjTa-4.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Re-creation of the Depositional Context in Which Late Pleistocene Tracks Were Found on the Pacific Coast of Canada

McLaren

Mackie

Fedje

2021

Reading Prehistoric Human Tracks

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“…Over the last few decades, and recently, palaeoichnological studies have been regularly conducted in open-air settings and have benefited from the development of new recording and analysis techniques (Mietto et al 2003;Berge et al 2006;Webb et al 2006;Aramayo 2009;Bennett et al 2009;Raichlen et al 2010;Felstead et al 2014;Ashton et al 2014;Burns 2014;Bennett et al 2016;Masao et al 2016;Panerello et al 2017;Wiseman and De Groote 2018;Altamura et al 2018;McLaren et al 2018;Smith et al 2019;Moreno et al 2019). In cave settings, they reached their peak between the 1970s and the early 2000s but were less developed Garcia 1985, 1986;Garcia 1986).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduce to Understand: Experimental Approach Based on Footprints in Cussac Cave (Southwestern France)

Ledoux

Bérillon

Fourment

et al. 2021

Reading Prehistoric Human Tracks

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The morphology of a track depends on many factors that must be considered when interpreting it. An experimental approach is often required to understand the influence of each of these factors, both at the time of the track formation and after its formation. These aspects, which are fairly well documented for tracks found in open-air settings, are much more limited for those found in karst settings. Although caves are stable environments enabling the preservation of archaeological remains, many taphonomical processes can alter the grounds and the walls. Based on the observations made on footprints found in Cussac Cave (Dordogne region of southwestern France), this study focuses on one of these natural phenomena and tests the impact of flooding episodes and the resulting clay deposits on the track’s morphology and topography. Our experiments show that although the general morphology of footprints and some details such as digits are preserved, their topography is altered by successive flooding episodes and clay deposits. The loss of definition of the footprints due to flooding episodes can also lead to misinterpretation. This work sheds new light on the Cussac footprints, while the further development of such experiments will allow us to improve our results and apply them to other settings and sites.

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A track in the Tanana: Forensic analysis of a Late Holocene footprint from central Alaska

Cited by 2 publications

References 80 publications

Experimental Re-creation of the Depositional Context in Which Late Pleistocene Tracks Were Found on the Pacific Coast of Canada

Experimental Re-creation of the Depositional Context in Which Late Pleistocene Tracks Were Found on the Pacific Coast of Canada

Reproduce to Understand: Experimental Approach Based on Footprints in Cussac Cave (Southwestern France)

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