The Ileret footprints were found near animal prints on two separate layers. Both sets of footprints are believed to have been formed by hominids walking near a stream or river bed shortly after a flooding event, when pools of water were still standing. Within the upper layer, 22 potential hominid footprints were found, 17 of which researchers are certain represent hominids. The upper level prints are grouped into three footprint trails and several isolated or partial prints. This surface dates about 1.51 million years ago.
The lower surface, about 5 meters (15 feet) lower than the upper, has three prints, two in a short trail and an isolated print. Animal prints represented in the lower surface include bovids, carnivores (possibly felines), and equids. The lower surface dates to about 1.53 million years ago.
More on Ancient Feet and Shoes
Bennett, Matthew R., et al. 2009 Early Hominin Foot Morphology Based on 1.5-Million-Year-Old Footprints from Ileret, Kenya. Science 323:1197-1201.
