Ancient footprints of Acahualinca

[1] The tracks are fossil Late Holocene human footprints left behind in volcanic ash and mud, which solidified about 2,120±120 years ago, shortly after the group of up to 15 people passed by.

[2] It is sometimes reported that the people were running to escape from a volcanic explosion, but the distance between the footprints indicates a walking gait.

The United States medical doctor and archaeological collector, Earl Flint, brought the footprints to the attention of the international science community and media in 1884.

But, later dating of the volcanic deposits in which they occur, known as the Masaya Triple Layer, demonstrated that the fossil tracks are only about 2,120 ± 120 years old.

In addition to footprints, the museum features a small collection of pottery and other items of archaeological interest from several sites in Nicaragua.