News Anthropology

Modern-day trackers reinterpret Stone Age cave footprints

Hunter-gatherer savvy helps archaeologists analyze early European activities

possible footprints from a young girl

GIRL INTERRUPTED  African trackers concluded that this set of ancient footprints in a French cave came from a 12-year-old girl who left an uneven number of left and right foot impressions. A dotted box marks a complete pair of footprints. 

Heinrich Wendel

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Three African hunters and animal trackers have cornered an especially elusive prey — long-gone Stone Age people who left footprints in some of Western Europe’s decorated caves.