Ancient Sloth Bones Hint at Early Humans in South America
At the Santa Elina rock shelter in Brazil, researchers report three giant sloth osteoderms that were modified into artifacts, probably pendants, in a layer dated to about 25,000–27,000 years ago—potentially signaling earlier human presence in South America. The finding bolsters discussions of early dispersals and challenges Monte Verde II’s dates, but the claim is contested and some experts warn that natural processes can mimic such modifications; ancient DNA studies still point to a complex, multi-route peopling of the Americas with first entry roughly 16,000–23,000 years ago.
