Ancient footprints of Acahualinca

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
2100-year-old human footprints preserved in volcanic mud near the lake in Managua, Nicaragua.

The Ancient footprints of Acahualinca (Spanish pronunciation: [akawaˈliŋka]; Spanish: Huellas de Acahualinca) exist in Managua, Nicaragua near the southern shore of Lake Managua. The region was once called "El Cauce".[1] The tracks are fossil Late Holocene human footprints left behind in volcanic ash and mud, which solidified about 2,120±120 years ago, shortly after the group of up to 15 people passed by.[2]

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.[3] Fossilized footprints of several animals are also present, but the fact that they intersect the human footprints shows they were not traveling with the people.[4]

Scientific analysis of the footprints

In 1874, construction workers discovered the footprints. The United States medical doctor and

archaeological collector, Earl Flint, brought the footprints to the attention of the international science community and media in 1884.[5]

The

Carnegie Institution of Washington began the first scientific analysis and excavations of the area in 1941 and 1942. They also constructed a museum and a building to protect the footprints.[6]

Work was continued by Joaquín Matilló, Allan L. Bryan and Jorge Espinosa in the 1960s and 1970s. Allan L. Bryan, from the

volcanic deposits in which they occur, known as the Masaya Triple Layer, demonstrated that the fossil tracks are only about 2,120 ± 120 years old.[2] In 1978, the Nicaraguan researcher Jorge Espinosa continued the excavation near the termination of the original excavation. He uncovered more footprints at a depth of 4 meters.[4] The track is believed to continue further.[7]

Specimens of these footprints can be viewed at both the

United States National Museum.[8]

Acahualinca Museum

The "Museo Sitio Huellas de Acahualinca" is located at west of Managua, in the eponymous Acahualinca town. The museum was founded in 1953 by Nicaraguan scientist Leonor Martínez, later in 1989, was rescued, restored and fitted out with the support of "ASDI" and the Historical Museum of Sweden. In addition to footprints, the museum features a small collection of pottery and other items of archaeological interest from several sites in Nicaragua. Previously there were

stone tools and a skull from León Viejo.[4]

Gallery

Human and animal footprints.
Polychrome ceramic pot.

See also

References

  1. JSTOR 983095
    .
  2. ^
    S2CID 43686540
    .
  3. ^ a b Bryan, Alan L (1973). "New light on ancient Nicaraguan footprints". Archaeology. 26 (2): 146–147.
  4. ^ a b c "Acahualinca Footprints Museum, Tourist Attractions, Culture". Nicaragua.com. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  5. ^ Flint, Earl (1884). "Human footprints in Nicaragua". Am. Antiquarian. 6: 112–114.
    Flint, Earl (1885). "Human footprints in Nicaragua". Am. Antiquarian. 7: 156–158.
  6. ^ Carnegie Institution of Washington. "Geologic observations on the ancient human footprints near Managua, Nicaragua". Contributions to American Anthropology and History. 11 (52).
  7. ^ "Ancient footprints of Acahualinca". ViaNica. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  8. JSTOR 1299291
    .

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ancient_footprints_of_Acahualinca&oldid=1138058662"