The 500-Million-Year-Old Shoe Print Mystery
The Discovery
In 1968, William J. Meister, a trilobite collector, unearthed a startling shoe print fossil in Utah, estimated at 500 million years old. Found in slate with trilobite fossils, the print’s detailed heel mark suggested a right foot, marked by unusual wear.
Scientific Investigation
In 1969, Dr. Clarence Combs and Maurice Carlisle examined the site, identifying a muck layer at the same stratum, hinting the print formed on an ancient surface. This evidence fueled speculation about its origins.
Controversy and Skepticism
Despite the findings, the scientific community dismissed the print as a natural erosion artifact. Similar skepticism met John T. Reid’s 1922 Petrified Shoe Sole discovery in Nevada, leaving the debate unresolved.
Current Status
As of June 26, 2025, this enigmatic fossil continues to challenge conventional history, its true nature remaining a subject of intrigue and debate.
