THE FILM Footprints in Stone has enjoyed a wide circulation since its release a few months ago. Its reception has been enthusiastic. And well it might be. The film reports the finding of human or manlike tracks and closely associated dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River bed near Glen Rose, Texas. Such a discovery would present a significant challenge to current theories of biological evolution. Thus the reason for the production of this film by an evangelical organization.
Footprints in Stone develops its impact along three main lines the tracks present in the riverbed, the oral testimony of long-time residents concerning previous observations, and the statements of certain authorities who are interviewed at the study site.
The tracks themselves are perhaps the most impressive evidence in the film. There are many beautifully defined dinosaur tracks. Huge three-toed tracks of the meat-eating Allosaurus, a monster who walked about on its hind legs. Circular tracks, three feet in diameter, with claw marks, of the giant Aptosaurus (the Sinclair O' Company mascot). And last but not least are the 10- to 24-inch elongated tracks that look rather like human tracks. One of the smallest of these appears to show the imprints of the two large toes.
Long-time local residents tell stories of seeing excellent man tracks in the riverbed in past decades. These were destroyed by spring floods that ripped up the limestone blocks in which they were imprinted. Stories are told of man tracks that have been dug out of the river and sold to various visitors in the area.
Scientists Impressed
Most of the scientists interviewed in the film are impressed with what they have seen in the riverbed. Some are convinced of the genuineness of the man tracks, others are not sure, and a few have reached negative conclusions.
This film would have been greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm by this reviewer if he had not previously spent considerable time studying the evidence it presents. These studies have convinced him that there is no firm evidence (in the more usual scientific sense of the word) for the existence of fossil human (or other large mammal) tracks in this area. No less than a dozen scientists from at least six Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions, including the two universities, have visited the site and examined the tracks that may be seen there. Not one of these persons has found in these tracks convincing evidence for human footprints, although all of them have no doubt that humans and dinosaurs lived contemporaneously.
There are many dinosaur tracks in various stages of erosion, and these are fully convincing, to say the least. Most of the "man-tracks" in the film appear to represent the last erosional vestiges of three-toed bipedal dinosaur tracks. One series shown in the film is located in a layer of limestone that is above the layer containing the dinosaur tracks. It is clear in examining the supposed tracks in this upper layer that they are only random erosional patterns in this surface of the limestone stratum. These particular tracks are so poorly defined that it was necessary to "wet" them to provide contrast for photographic purposes. Oil or water has been used for this purpose. What one sees in the film are oil or water "paintings" on the surface of the limestone block, rather than clearly defined tracks. The "tracks" thus visualized can be seen under normal circumstances only with the application of a great deal of imagination.
Not Convinced
The stories of the local residents fail to convince me for two reasons. First, I have talked with them and asked them to show me mantracks in the riverbed. The tracks they led me to seem best described as elongated dinosaur tracks. Second, man-tracks provide both notoriety and income to these individuals. Throughout their lives the people living in this area have been told by impressive visitors that the man-tracks are real and important. These visitors have paid money to see the tracks, and have purchased any that were available for sale. It is not likely that the track owners would even think to question the reliability of their man-tracks. Even if they did, however, economic considerations might severely affect any conclusions they would reach.
We must also comment on the "expert opinion" that goes a long way toward giving the film its aura of credibility and objectivity. The film's identification of these individuals is not sufficient to allow one to evaluate their possible expertise with respect to evaluation of the tracks. The opinion of even a well-trained scientist can be an extension of previous bias, and is not necessarily based on a thorough analysis of all the relevant data.
I believe I have examined in detail every track and trackway shown in the film. Most of the tracks are clearly not human tracks, but are eroded dinosaur tracks (the three toes still showing) or random erosion marks that never were tracks of any kind. The film does show one trackway that is not so easily dis missed. The field study group with whom I was associated evaluated each of the dozen or so tracks of this series in detail. We compared these tracks (which are only a half to one inch deep) with dinosaur tracks in various stages of erosion. It is my opinion that they are the last remnants of a three-toed dinosaur trackway.
While it is difficult to demonstrate that this series of highly eroded tracks is reptilian, it is even more difficult to show convincingly that it represents the passing of a hominid wearing soft-sole footwear, as has been suggested by some. There are many distinct bipedal dinosaur tracks in the limestone layer that contains these uncertain tracks. Except for the possibility of this one trackway, there is no documented past or current evidence for the existence of a bipedal manlike track sequence in this formation. This track series can, at best, be regarded as ambiguous data. In the absence of additional supporting data the most reasonable choice is to assume that these tracks are of reptile origin.
No Actual Footprints
There are several collections of dinosaur, manlike, and/or cat like tracks that are reported to have come from the Paluxy River. These have greatly stimulated interest in the Glen Rose region as an area significant with regard to antediluvian man. We have found that the authenticity of a track can usually be determined by sawing across the track and observing the compression, or lack thereof, of the layers of mud (now hardened into rock) beneath the track impression.
Most of the tracks, reportedly quarried from the Paluxy River bed, that we have examined have definitely been shown to be carvings rather than actual footprints. Not one of the manlike track impressions investigated in this manner has been shown to be an actual footprint. Fully attested, genuine dinosaur tracks quarried from the Paluxy River bed are displayed in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. (See The National Geographic magazine, May, 1954, pp. 707-722.)
While this film will encourage many of those who already believe, it may also be expected to produce unfortunate consequences. Some sincere seekers after truth who have a rich back ground in this area may be turned away from Bible truth as they evaluate critically the treatment of evidence in the film. Unbelievers may be given occasion to question the credibility of those who support Biblical testimony.
The producers of this film are to be commended for adherence to the testimony of Scripture, and for their effort to enhance the witness to this testimony. But a good conclusion is not well served by unsatisfactory supporting evidence. The Creator of the universe deserves more than good cinematography He deserves careful research and due regard for the scientific principles of evidence and experimentation.
