Footprints as indicators of characteristic features in hominins and anatomically modern humans

The work deals with studying footprints of anatomically modern humans and their ancestors - hominins. We compare the footprints of anatomically modern human and chimpanzee Bonobo (Pan paniscus) and we summarize their characteristic features, which we use in determining the originators of the fossil footprints. We observe the connection between the foot anatomy, especially the presence or absence of a foot arch, the style of locomotion and the final shape of the footprint. We further try to find out whether it is possible to estimate walking speed, height and body weight of those who made the footprints. The study focuses on the standard techniques commonly used in footprint researches, but it also summarizes results of the modern methods. In the end we describe the locations of fossil trackways, for example in Laetoli and Ileret. Via the methods above we try to reconstruct the behavior and physical characteristics of the best-known originators of the fossil footprints