Evidence of Ancient Human Interaction: 33,000-Year-Old Sloth Bone from Uruguay Reveals Possible Trauma

Researchers have found a significant fossil that could rewrite our understanding of human history in South America. This discovery involves a 33,000-year-old heel bone from a giant ground sloth, known as Lestodon armatus, unearthed in southern Uruguay. The bone has a unique indentation that scientists believe might have been made by a human tool.

This indentation measures about 21 mm across and is nearly 41 mm deep. Its smooth edges and specific fractures suggest a forceful impact. Researchers used CT scans and silicone casts to analyze the injury, uncovering fine striations which indicate that the object that made the mark rotated while penetrating the bone. What’s even more intriguing is that plant fibers were found lodged in the indentation, hinting at the possibility of tool-making materials being involved.

To ensure this mark wasn’t caused by natural elements or animal bites, researchers compared it to marks made by other creatures like saber-toothed cats. None matched the bone’s characteristics, reinforcing the idea that humans might have been responsible for this damage.

The shape of the indentation implies that a rounded object, possibly made of wood with a hard point, was used. This could indicate that early humans were capable of close-range hunting, aiming to immobilize large game rather than just butcher it.

This evidence suggests that humans were interacting with megafauna much earlier than previously believed. Historically, it’s accepted that humans migrated to the Americas around 23,000 years ago. This new finding pushes that timeline back significantly and supports the idea that humans were in South America at least 10,000 years earlier.

The implications are profound. If humans were indeed hunting these massive creatures, it offers a glimpse into their survival strategies. More exploration is needed at this site and others like it to better understand how early people lived alongside such large animals.

As we move forward, this fascinating insight encourages further research into early human activities and their impact on prehistoric ecosystems.

For detailed study insights, refer to Fariña, R.A., et al. (2025) in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology.

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Paleolithic,Zooarchaeology