Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Americas, uncovering evidence of ancient transport technology dating back nearly 22,000 years. Researchers from Bournemouth University found travois-like sleds, similar to those used by early North Americans, at White Sands, New Mexico.
The findings significantly predate the first known use of the wheel, which is believed to have occurred in Mesopotamia around 5,000 years ago. The discovery was made near ancient fossilized human footprints found in 2009, which were previously dated to 23,000 years ago using radiocarbon dating.
However, additional dating techniques confirmed the age of the footprints and suggested that they were actually created by humans. The researchers believe that these early North Americans used simple handcarts or travois-like sleds to transport food, clothing, and other valuable items.
The team conducted experiments in the UK and US, replicating ancient pole trackways seen at White Sands. They also consulted with Indigenous groups local to the area, who confirmed their hypothesis about the use of travois-like sleds.
The discovery sheds new light on the lives of early North Americans, revealing a previously unknown aspect of their daily lives. The findings highlight the importance of considering alternative explanations for ancient artifacts and emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research approaches.
Source: https://thedebrief.org/22000-year-old-evidence-of-transport-technology-reshapes-our-understanding-of-the-ancient-americas