Preserving the Ancient Human Trackways Site in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area

In 2003, over 400 ancient human footprints were discovered preserved in silt within Australia's Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. Optically stimulated luminescence dating revealed these trackways were created approximately 20,000 years ago, offering a unique snapshot of life during the transition to a drier Australian climate. The site, exposed by erosion, faced significant preservation challenges due to its remote location and harsh environmental conditions. After collaborative discussions among First Nations custodians, archaeologists, and government agencies, the decision was made to rebury the excavated footprints as the most practical conservation strategy. While this approach protects the site from further degradation, new footprints continue to emerge periodically, necessitating ongoing management. Future work includes creating detailed 3-D scans of all prints, enhancing our understanding of this significant archaeological and cultural resource.

Macgregor, C. (2022). Preserving the Ancient Human Trackways Site in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. Studies in Conservation, 67(sup1), 150–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/00393630.2022.2050616