Do Shod Humans Leave True Tracks?

Abstract

Incorporating footprints from shod humans into ichnotaxonomical nomenclature presents several problems in that the track maker does not actually touch the sediment, and further the wear of shoes represents a behavioral choice as well as evidence of technological developments in shoemaking. If footprints of shod humans were to be treated ichnotaxonomically, they should be regarded as traces of compound behavior comprising bipedal walking, wearing and production of shoes. Footprints of naked feet offer no restrictions in being classified into the ichnotaxonomical system.

Keywords:

• Human footprints
• footwear
• undertracks ichnotaxonomy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to Martin G. Lockley and Joeng Yul Kim for promoting the study of human ichnology by editing this volume, and for their constructive reviews and comments on the manuscript. The research of JM was supported by a Ph.D. grant from the Faculty of Natural Science, University of Copenhagen.