Laetoli Prints Eroding Fast

Can footprints said to be 3.7 million years old be so fragile as to disappear in 30 years?  News@Nature reported that the famed Laetoli footprints, said to be those of Lucy’s vintage, are in danger of being destroyed by weathering, erosion, vegetation, cattle and humans.
    Though located several hours’ drive in Ngorongoro National Park in Tanzania, and covered with a protective layer that was placed in 1995, they could soon be gone.  A local conservationist is trying to raise interest in a museum for the site.  This would not only protect the prints but also attract interest about human evolution for tourists.
    See the links in the 01/10/2007 entry for background information on the Laetoli prints.

Preserved for millions of years, but now at risk in 30 years, and it’s all our fault.  Local wants to make it a Darwin shrine.  Typical.