Ancient footprints of Acahualinca
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The Ancient footprints of Acahualinca (IPA pronunciation: [ˌækæwæˈliːηkæ]), the "Huellas de Acahualinca", exist in Managua (the capital city of Nicaragua) near the south shore of Lake Managua (Lago Xolotlán) in a region that was called "El cauce". [1] The tracks are petrified Paleo-Indian human footprints left behind in volcanic ash and mud that solidified 6000 years ago, shortly after the group of up to 15 people passed by.
The Acahualinca tracks are the oldest human footprints on the American continents, and the oldest prehistoric record of human existence in Nicaragua.[citation needed]
It is sometimes reported that the people were running to escape from a volcanic explosion, but the distance between the footprints indicates a walking gait.[2] Fossilized footprints of several animals are also present, but they intersect the human footprints and therefore were not traveling with the people.
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[edit] Scientific analysis of the footprints
The footprints were discovered accidentally by construction workers in 1874. The American medical doctor and archaeological collector Earl Flint brought the footprints to the attention of the international science community and media in 1884. [3]
The Carnegie Institute of Washington began the first scientific analysis and excavations in 1941 and 1942, and they constructed a museum and a building to protect the footprints. [4]
Work was continued by Joaquín Matilló, Allan Bryan y Jorge Espinoza in the 1960s and 70s. Allan L. Bryan, from the University of Alberta, dated the sand directly under the footprints by radiocarbon dating to 5,945 +/- 145 years.[5] In 1978, Nicaraguan researcher Jorge Espinoza continued the excavation near the termination of the original excavation and uncovered more footprints at a depth of 4 meters.[citation needed]
Specimens of these footprints can be seen at both the Peabody Museum of Archaeology at Harvard University and the United States National Museum. [6]
[edit] Museum of Acahualinca
The museum "Museo Sitio Huellas de Acahualinca" is located in the west of Managua in the Acahualinca neighborhood. In addition to the footprints, the museum displays a small collection of pottery and other archeological objects.
The museum is not well funded so there is an entrance fee for tourists of $2 USD, and there is a charge of about $1.50 USD to use your camera inside the museum.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ Brinton, D.G. (1887). "On an ancient human footprint from Nicaragua". Am. Philos. Soc. Proc. 24: 437-444. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
- ^ Bryan, Alan L (1973). "New light on ancient Nicaraguan footprints". Archaeology 26 (2): 146-147.
- ^ Flint, Earl (1884). "Human footprints in Nicaragua". Am. Antiquarian 6: 112-114. Flint, Earl (1885). "Human footprints in Nicaragua". Am. Antiquarian 7: 156-158.
- ^ Carnegie Institute of Washington. "Geologic observations on the ancient human footprints near Managua, Nicaragua". Contributions to American Anthropology and History 11 (52).
- ^ Bryan, Alan L (1973). "New light on ancient Nicaraguan footprints". Archaeology 26 (2): 146-147.
- ^ Brown, Roland W; US Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. (1947). "Fossil plants and human footprints in Nicaragua". Journal of Paleontology 21 (1): 38-40. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
