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Pleistocene human footprints from the Willandra Lakes, southeastern Australia

Steve Webb, Bond University
Matthew L. Cupper, University of Melbourne
Richard Robins, University of New England, N.S.W.

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Webb, Steve, Cupper, Matthew L., Robins, Richard (2006) Pleistocene human footprints from the Willandra Lakes, southeastern Australia. Journal of Human Evolution Vol 50 (4) pp. 405-413.
This article is published by Elsevier
Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
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2006 HERDC submission

Abstract

Human and other hominid fossil footprints provide rare but important insights into anatomy and behaviour. Here we report recently discovered fossil trackways of human footprints from the Willandra Lakes region of western New South Wales, Australia. Optically dated to between 19-23 ka and consisting of at least 124 prints, the trackways form the largest collection of Pleistocene human footprints in the world. The prints were made by adults, adolescents, and children traversing the moist surface of an ephemeral soak. This site offers a unique glimpse of humans living in the arid inland of Australia at the height of the last glacial period.

Suggested Citation

Steve Webb, Matthew L. Cupper, and Richard Robins. "Pleistocene human footprints from the Willandra Lakes, southeastern Australia" Humanities & Social Sciences papers (2006).
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steve_webb/3