Here’s Why Ancient Petroglyphs In Utah Reveal History Of Extra Toes

If you have looked at petroglyphs in the four corners area, you may have noticed some hand and footprints show an extra digit. This wasn’t just an artist’s depiction. Studies of burial sites show ancient people had a higher chance of having six toes or six fingers. 

The Curious Case of Extra Digits: A Look at Petroglyphs

Science calls this condition polydactyly, and it is rare. About 0.2 percent of the current Native American population in the southwest has an extra digit. So why do the petroglyphs show so many footprints with that extra pinky?

The interesting thing is in a study of skeletons in Chaco Canyon, an Anasazi site located in Arizona, they found the number of people with polydactyly was much higher. They found 3.1 percent had six toes on at least one foot. 

Honoring the Unique: The Special Treatment of Polydactyl Ancestors

They even found that those with this condition may have been treated as special and honored. This is because of the way these remains were buried. They were often closer to holy places and with more jewelry. 

The reason why they think these ancient people had extra toes is also fascinating. This is an area high in uranium deposits. It is possible they were affected by the radiation in the area and it may have caused the mutation. 

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It is merely speculation though. Other populations have higher chances of polydactyly. African Americans have 1.5 percent chance of an extra finger or toe. Although higher, this is still half of that of the Anasazi at Chaco Canyon.