The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-09-28
FOSSIL MAN TRACKS,


"We find in the lowest strata, OK
posed by the workmen, numerous fresh
water shells, which are Chose of q mus
sci, OF the genus 'Anodonta.' At an
elevation OF thirteen feet above these is
round another strata in which, in addi-
tlon to the shells of Anodonta, wo find
species of Physa. This discovery is of
additional interest from the fact that
clarence King reports that he found no
tresh-water shells In the region except
ing those of Planorbis. 1t should be
mentioned that the floor or area of the
yard we are now studying bears cvi-
dence of having been slightly tilted ut a
period subsequent to it's deposition. 1t
also gives evidence of having been at
one time the shore of some lake, or,
perhaps, pond, local and isolated as its
level was above that of Lake Lahontan.
Presumably we stand on the shore of
this ancient pond or lake, and as we
look about us we see the footprints of a
variety. OF animals, among which we
recognize those of the mammoth, the
deer, the wolf, those of many birds. an
parently those OF q horse, and, most i'm
portant of all, what seems to be the inn
prints of the sandaled foot Of man.
There are six series of the tracks of
man. Each Of these series is represent
ed by number of footprints (from eight
to seventeen) in regular order. and each
showing more or less plainly the i'm
print Of sandal. Besides this, in one
OF the series there is a marked differ
ence in the form OF the sandal. The
first of these series which we examined
is to be seen emerging, as it were, from
the southern side of the yard, and where
the cliff is fifteen feet in hcpht above
the tracks. This series consists of
twelve tracks, to which number four
were subsequently added by tunnclinr
into the rock. These tracks were evil
IDENTITY made in layer of sediment of
perhaps two inches in depth, for below
this layer we find the compact sand
stone. In each instance the mud had
been raised by the pressure of the foot
INTO ridge which entirely surrounded
1t. This mud is only partially solidificd.
and is still takcy and easily broken on
exposure. Each of the imprints furnish
es us with evidence, as we believe, that
the feet OF the one making the tracks
were protected by sandals.
lin no single impression, perhaps,
40 we find conclusive evidence of this
TACT, but when we study them as q
whole we find that that which is want
ing IN one is furnished by others which
follow. In nearly all the toe portion of
the sandal is well shown, it being as
smooth as the work of mason for the
distance OF two or three inches. Back
ward from the toe we generally ind the
impression OF the Outer portion of the
sandal. When studied us q whole we
can determine with good deal of eX-
actness the actual length and breadth
OF the sandal, which we find to be nine
teen inches in length, eight inches at
the pail OF the foot, while the heel is
SIX inches in breadth. In its outline if
follows clearly the shape of the human
ioot. FROM the great toe outward there
IS really graceful curve, which draws
IN toward the heel; while from the great
toe inward the line is drawn toward the
lnstep, and thence in an onward curve
10 the heel. In one series this curve is
deeper, showing slightly different
form of sandal. The average length of
the stride is two feet three inches The
distance between the feet or the strad-
die is eighteen inches.
1t seems very important to know if
there were more footprints of the same
series still running on into and under this
rock lace. 10 determine this fact Mr..
Garrard, who was anxious to assist us
Ill every way possible, Immediately
commenced tunnel upon the limo OF
Cne prints of the same series, if such cx-
1sOed. In this effort he was completely
successful, bringing to view four other
footprints, three Of which were more
perfect than those which had been pre-
Vlously exposed. One of the four.
owing TO fault of the rock, was too
OBSCURE to be of value. Of this series
we secured twelve more or less perfect
casts in plaster.
'One marked feature is that in all
OF these tracks the toes turn we'll out
ward which is not rs q rule the habit
oI the North American Indian WitIsf
rev PAGES OF the prints we have de-
scrlDed IS TO be found another series Of
tracks made by an Individual who was
waking IN deeper mud, which clunp to
ana closed in upon the foot Seven or
eighG such are, to be seen i'm REGULAR
oruer. and then the track, like the ono
previously described, is lost in the LEDGE
Toward which the steps are tending.
ihree OF these are somewhat smaller
than the one described, while one has
sandal more curved than that OF his fcl.
lows These are lost in the LEDGE,
where they may be followed by future
explorations. These printsappear to be
upon floor few inches lower than
the one first described.
Returning now to our first described
tracks, we find at a distance of ten or
twelve PAGES other tracks, which wa
suppose to have been made by a nam.
moth. They are in regular order and
eight IN number, with nm average stride
of four feet four and a half inches. The
loot is twenty-one inches in diameter.
They were found imprinted on what is
now pretty compact sandstone. We
lind no distinct traces of toes. but onIv
general outline of the foot.
l., Besides the above described tracks
Ihere were tracks of some Wading birds,
as before mentioned. These did not
seem to differ much in form and size
from y those of the same order now living.
several quite distinct tracks of deer are
also to be seen. Others, again, were
round which in size and length of stride &.
much resemble those of wolf. At one
Point these tracks may be traced for a
olstance OF twenty feet. where they also
are lost in the ledge. There are also a
lew pooriy-detned imprints of what we
believe to be horse. Near the western
liimt we find clear indications of anirnala
IA a NUa1lrrryoI