Discovery: Humans migrated to America earlier than previously thought
New Discovery in Brazil Sheds Light on Human Arrival in the Americas
A new archaeological discovery in Santa Elena, Brazil could potentially alter the timeline of human arrival in the Americas. Three bone fragments, found in a stone bunker, are believed to be chipped ornaments that were used by humans thousands of years ago. According to a CNN report, these findings challenge current scientific views on the timeline of human migration to the continent.
To ensure the preservation of these delicate bone fragments, scientists extensively studied the surrounding sediment, coal, and other remains in the area. Through the use of optical and electron microscopes, as well as microtomography, researchers were able to determine that the bones had been crafted by human hands and used as jewelry before they fossilized. Further analysis revealed that these bone ornaments date back approximately 25 to 27 thousand years.
Thais Pansani, one of the authors of the study, explained that the bones belonged to an extinct species known as Glossotherium phoenesis, commonly referred to as the giant sloth. These sloths, despite their slow metabolism, were surprisingly agile creatures that walked on all fours. Whether they posed a threat to humans during that time remains unknown.
The significance of this discovery lies not only in the chipped bone ornaments but also in the fact that they were made from giant sloth bones. This finding stands as the oldest decorative object ever discovered in the Americas.
The research findings, titled “Bones Chilled by Human Hand,” have been published in the prestigious Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The study sheds new light on the earliest human presence in the Americas, painting a different picture of our ancestors’ migratory patterns. As more archaeological work continues in the region, it is hoped that further insights into the ancient human history of the Americas will be revealed.
