Archaeology - Ancient footprint found in rock

A footprint believed to have been left by a primitive human ancestor has been found preserved in a rock in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Nakhon Thai district of Phitsanulok province. 

[Credit: Chinawat Singha/Bangkok Post]

The footprint was found by members of a tour group who informed Sakparin Surarak, assistant chief of the national park, who later led a group of reporters to see it. 

The spot is about one kilometre from the national park's office. 

The footmark is preserved in a large rock on a high mountain surrounded by a dense forest. The five toes of the right foot are clearly visible.  

The foot is believed to be of a female. The footprint looks like it was left on muddy ground. 

Pairat Maneengam, the national park chief, said the footprint had not been seen before, even though park officials had thoroughly examined the area many times. It had most probably been covered with ferns and moss. 

The rock where the footprint was discovered is near a spot once used as a field hospital by insurgents of the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT), which had an operational base on  Phu Hin Rong Kla mountain. 

Mr Pairat said geologists will be invited to examine the footprint and determine if it was left long ago by a primitive human  as speculated. 


Provided by The Archaeology News Network