Traces of Innovation: 20,000-Year-Old 'Vehicles' Discovered in New Mexico

Researchers have found evidence that the earliest North Americans made makeshift "vehicles" out of wooden poles. (Image credit: Gabriel Ugueto/Bournemouth University)

Introduction

Archaeologists have unearthed a fascinating glimpse into early human ingenuity at White Sands National Park, New Mexico. Footprints preserved in ancient sediment alongside long, linear drag marks suggest that North America's earliest inhabitants used sled-like travois to transport goods—challenging previous assumptions about prehistoric technology. This discovery offers fresh insight into the lives of the continent's first settlers, dating back more than 20,000 years.

Ancient Footprints and Drag Marks: A Significant Discovery

White Sands National Park has already yielded the oldest known human footprints in North America, dated between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago. Among these, researchers found drag marks extending up to 50 meters (165 feet), varying from single lines to parallel grooves. The study, published in Quaternary Science Advances, suggests that these were made by early humans pulling loads using a simple wooden contraption akin to a travois.

What is a Travois?

A travois is a primitive transport device made by binding two long poles together, often forming an A-shape or X-shape, and used to drag loads across terrain. Indigenous groups of the Great Plains historically used travois, initially pulled by dogs and later by horses, to transport belongings, shelter materials, and even people. This new evidence suggests that such technology predates the domestication of animals in North America and may have been essential for survival in Ice Age landscapes.

Experimental Archaeology Confirms the Findings

To test their hypothesis, researchers recreated travois using wooden poles and dragged them across muddy terrain in the UK and along the coast of Maine. The resulting marks bore a striking resemblance to those fossilized in New Mexico, confirming that ancient humans likely used similar methods to transport their goods.

Implications for Early Human Migration and Technology

This discovery reshapes our understanding of early human mobility and resource management. Previously, it was believed that North America’s first inhabitants arrived around 13,000 to 16,000 years ago. However, the White Sands evidence suggests human presence much earlier, raising questions about how these early groups adapted and thrived.

Additionally, this finding highlights the importance of reevaluating prehistoric technology. While the wheel had not yet been invented, these early humans demonstrated ingenuity in solving transport challenges, showcasing advanced planning and cooperation within their communities.

Conclusion

The discovery of 20,000-year-old transport technology at White Sands National Park provides a rare and valuable glimpse into the lives of North America’s earliest inhabitants. As archaeologists continue to explore these ancient footprints and drag marks, we may uncover even more about how our ancestors innovated to survive. Could these findings lead to further revisions of human migration timelines? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—prehistoric humans were far more resourceful than we ever imagined.

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