Rare prehistoric footprints found in Mexico

Footprints from early humans that are between 4 500 and 25 000 years old have been discovered in a remote area of northern Mexico, say researchers.

The five footprints set in stone "are among the few impressions of the first inhabitants in the American continent found in Mexico," the Institute of Anthropology and History said in a statement.

The footprints were found in the remote Sierra de Tarahumara mountains in the northern state of Chihuahua, the Institute said.

The prints belong to three adults -- only one of them left impressions of both feet -- and a child about four years old.

The ancient inhabitants likely lived in caves in the Ahuatos valley, some 8km from the town of Creel, the Institute said.

A local resident informed the researchers of the find.

"It took us a lot of work to find them because they are not easily identified," said anthropologist Jose Concepcion Jimenez.

While no other footprints were found, experts found nearby the remains of primitive camps dating from the Pleistocene Era (1.8 million to 10 000 years ago), the statement read.