New Evidence of Prehistoric Handcarts Revealed
Recent archaeological discoveries at White Sands National Park in New Mexico have unveiled what could be the earliest evidence of handcart transportation, predating the invention of the wheel. Researchers from Bournemouth University have identified a series of long, linear impressions in the dried mud, running up to 150 feet, alongside human footprints that date back 22,000 years.
Marks in the Earth: A Clue to Prehistoric Movement
These markings, preserved in dolomite, are believed to be drag marks left by wooden poles used in a rudimentary transport system. Experts suggest that early humans created makeshift vehicles by binding poles together, forming an early version of a wheelbarrow or sled to carry heavy loads across vast distances.
A Window into Early Human Mobility
Matthew Bennett, a researcher from Bournemouth University, explains that while early humans must have used some form of transport to carry their belongings during migrations, direct evidence has been difficult to find due to the decomposition of wooden materials over time. “These drag marks provide the first tangible proof of how our ancestors moved heavy and bulky items before the invention of the wheel,” Bennett stated.
Significance of the Findings
This discovery sheds new light on prehistoric ingenuity and adaptation, offering a rare glimpse into the daily struggles and innovative solutions of ancient humans. The findings were published in Quaternary Science Advances, and further research continues to explore the human and animal tracks found at White Sands National Park.
To learn more about past discoveries at this site, visit "Ghost Tracks of White Sands."
