Uncovering the Past: How a 33,000-Year-Old Sloth Bone in Uruguay Could Change Our Understanding of Human and Megafauna History

A fascinating find in southern Uruguay has changed how we view early human history. Researchers discovered a 33,000-year-old bone from a giant ground sloth in Arroyo del Vizcaíno. This bone has marks that suggest humans might have hunted these massive creatures much earlier than we thought. The evidence—a deep, cone-shaped indentation—hints at possible human-made tools being involved. This discovery could alter our timeline of human presence in South America.

This poor sloth’s calcaneus (heel bone) was found alongside over 2,000 other remains, mostly from the same species, Lestodon armatus. What sets this bone apart is its unusual indentation, measuring 21 millimeters wide and 41 millimeters deep. The clean edges indicate that it was likely punctured with significant force, potentially from a weapon crafted by humans.

To figure out what happened, scientists used advanced techniques, such as CT scanning and silicone casting. They noticed tiny scratches inside the indentation. These suggest that whatever caused the wound rotated and moved as it penetrated the bone.

Interestingly, organic fibers, including plant material, were also found trapped in the indentation. This points to the possibility that a tool made of hardened wood was used, perhaps tipped with bone or ivory. These markers align with human-made weapons used for hunting.

Researchers ruled out other potential causes for the indentation, like animal bites or natural erosion. Patterns from carnivore teeth, for instance, would look different, and accidental impacts would leave irregular shapes—none of which matched what they found.

This discovery challenges the long-held belief that humans didn’t reach the Americas until about 23,000 years ago. With evidence suggesting human activity as far back as 33,000 years ago, it seems humans were interacting with megafauna well before the Last Glacial Maximum (26,500 to 19,000 years ago). It aligns with other evidence pointing to an earlier human presence in South America, suggesting a more intricate story of human migration and the eventual extinction of these giant creatures.

According to Dr. R.A. Fariña, a paleontologist involved in the study, this find opens new avenues for understanding how early humans adapted to their environment and interacted with other species. It could lead to exciting discoveries about human ingenuity and survival in a time of great climatic change.

These findings remind us that our understanding of history is always evolving. Stay tuned for more revelations as research continues.

For more details on the implications of this discovery, read further at Archaeology Magazine.

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