Ancient human footprints discovered in the Mexican desert may be among the oldest in the Americas, researchers said on Wednesday.

The 13 footprints found in Cuatro Cienegas in the northern state of Coahuila are fossilized in stone less than an inch (2 cm) deep and are around the age of the oldest known footprints in North or South America.

"We believe they could be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old," said archeologist Yuri de la Rosa."The research we have done on Cuatro Cienegas shows the presence of hunters and gatherers in the Coahuila desert beginning 10,000 years ago."