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Introduction
In September 2021, National Park Service staff, U.S. Geological Survey scientists, and an international team of researchers revealed evidence in the form of human footprints at White Sands National Park, New Mexico, that showed people were present in North America between 23,000 and 21,000 years ago. This time was during the Last Glacial Maximum, when large ice sheets covered much of the continent. The results stunned the scientific community and sparked a global debate. The story of how the discoveries were made, how they upended traditional thought, and how they “rewrote the book” on the earliest phases of North American prehistory is a classic example of the process of science.
Plain Language Summary
This fact sheet summarizes the discovery, documentation, and publication of scientific results related to ancient human footprints at White Sands National Park that showed humans were present in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Suggested Citation
Springer, K.B., Pigati, J.S., Bustos, D., Urban, T.M., and Bennett, M.R., 2026, Fossil footprints and Ice Age ecosystems of White Sands National Park: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2025-3046, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253046.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Fossil footprints and Ice Age ecosystems of White Sands National Park |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 2025-3046 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20253046 |
| Publication Date | May 07, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| Other Geospatial | White Sands National Park |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |