3-D radar imaging unlocks the untapped behavioral and biomechanical archive of Pleistocene ghost tracks
Authors: Urban, T.M., Bennett, M.R., Bustos, D., Manning, S.W., Reynolds, S.C., Belvedere, M., Odess, D. and Santucci, V.L.
Journal: Scientific Reports
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
eISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52996-8
Abstract:Footprint evidence of human-megafauna interactions remains extremely rare in the archaeological and palaeontological records. Recent work suggests ancient playa environments may hold such evidence, though the prints may not be visible. These so-called “ghost tracks” comprise a rich archive of biomechanical and behavioral data that remains mostly unexplored. Here we present evidence for the successful detection and 3-D imaging of such footprints via ground-penetrating radar (GPR), including co-associated mammoth and human prints. Using GPR we have found that track density and faunal diversity may be much greater than realized by the unaided human eye. Our data further suggests that detectable subsurface consolidation below mammoth tracks correlates with typical plantar pressure patterns from extant elephants. This opens future potential for more sophisticated biomechanical studies on the footprints of other extinct land vertebrates. Our approach allows rapid detection and documentation of footprints while enhancing the data available from these fossil archives.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33082/
Source: Scopus
3-D radar imaging unlocks the untapped behavioral and biomechanical archive of Pleistocene ghost tracks.
Authors: Urban, T.M., Bennett, M.R., Bustos, D., Manning, S.W., Reynolds, S.C., Belvedere, M., Odess, D. and Santucci, V.L.
Journal: Sci Rep
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 16470
eISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52996-8
Abstract:Footprint evidence of human-megafauna interactions remains extremely rare in the archaeological and palaeontological records. Recent work suggests ancient playa environments may hold such evidence, though the prints may not be visible. These so-called "ghost tracks" comprise a rich archive of biomechanical and behavioral data that remains mostly unexplored. Here we present evidence for the successful detection and 3-D imaging of such footprints via ground-penetrating radar (GPR), including co-associated mammoth and human prints. Using GPR we have found that track density and faunal diversity may be much greater than realized by the unaided human eye. Our data further suggests that detectable subsurface consolidation below mammoth tracks correlates with typical plantar pressure patterns from extant elephants. This opens future potential for more sophisticated biomechanical studies on the footprints of other extinct land vertebrates. Our approach allows rapid detection and documentation of footprints while enhancing the data available from these fossil archives.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33082/
Source: PubMed
3-D radar imaging unlocks the untapped behavioral and biomechanical archive of Pleistocene ghost tracks
Authors: Urban, T.M., Bennett, M.R., Bustos, D., Manning, S.W., Reynolds, S.C., Belvedere, M., Odess, D. and Santucci, V.L.
Journal: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Volume: 9
ISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52996-8
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33082/
Source: Web of Science (Lite)
3-D radar imaging unlocks the untapped behavioral and biomechanical archive of Pleistocene ghost tracks.
Authors: Urban, T.M., Bennett, M.R., Bustos, D., Manning, S.W., Reynolds, S.C., Belvedere, M., Odess, D. and Santucci, V.L.
Journal: Scientific reports
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 16470
eISSN: 2045-2322
ISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52996-8
Abstract:Footprint evidence of human-megafauna interactions remains extremely rare in the archaeological and palaeontological records. Recent work suggests ancient playa environments may hold such evidence, though the prints may not be visible. These so-called "ghost tracks" comprise a rich archive of biomechanical and behavioral data that remains mostly unexplored. Here we present evidence for the successful detection and 3-D imaging of such footprints via ground-penetrating radar (GPR), including co-associated mammoth and human prints. Using GPR we have found that track density and faunal diversity may be much greater than realized by the unaided human eye. Our data further suggests that detectable subsurface consolidation below mammoth tracks correlates with typical plantar pressure patterns from extant elephants. This opens future potential for more sophisticated biomechanical studies on the footprints of other extinct land vertebrates. Our approach allows rapid detection and documentation of footprints while enhancing the data available from these fossil archives.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33082/
Source: Europe PubMed Central
3-D radar imaging unlocks the untapped behavioral and biomechanical archive of Pleistocene ghost tracks.
Authors: Urban, T.M., Bennett, M.R., Bustos, D., Manning, S.W., Reynolds, S.C., Belvedere, M., Odess, D. and Santucci, V.L.
Journal: Scientific Reports
Volume: 9
ISSN: 2045-2322
Abstract:Footprint evidence of human-megafauna interactions remains extremely rare in the archaeological and palaeontological records. Recent work suggests ancient playa environments may hold such evidence, though the prints may not be visible. These so-called "ghost tracks" comprise a rich archive of biomechanical and behavioral data that remains mostly unexplored. Here we present evidence for the successful detection and 3-D imaging of such footprints via ground-penetrating radar (GPR), including co-associated mammoth and human prints. Using GPR we have found that track density and faunal diversity may be much greater than realized by the unaided human eye. Our data further suggests that detectable subsurface consolidation below mammoth tracks correlates with typical plantar pressure patterns from extant elephants. This opens future potential for more sophisticated biomechanical studies on the footprints of other extinct land vertebrates. Our approach allows rapid detection and documentation of footprints while enhancing the data available from these fossil archives.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33082/
Source: BURO EPrints