Initial estimates indicated that the objects found were 25,000 years old. In addition, dating is verified by stratigraphy, which is the relative position of soil layers and geological rocks.

what is known

Until recently, there was a widespread opinion among researchers that the earliest inhabitants of America – representatives of the Clovis culture – appeared on the continent from Eurasia about 15,000-13,000 years ago. But in the last few decades, evidence has begun to appear that humans have been here before that.

The new artifacts were discovered in the Santa Elena rock shelter, known for its exquisite collection of rock paintings. Among the remains discovered in the cave are the remains of an extinct giant sloth.

At least The three bone fragments were man-made: they had a smooth, polished surface and neatly formed holes that were clearly drilled..

3D visualization of works: video

The authors concluded that the objects were most likely “personal ornaments,” such as a necklace around the neck. Among the thousands of raw bones found at Santa Elena, these three stood out.

So this is considered further evidence that humans lived in the Americas at the same time as the extinct giant ground sloth (Glossotherium phoenesis). These gigantic creatures were almost the size of an elephant, reaching 4 meters in length and possibly weighing up to 1.5 tons.

This drawing shows a giant hunted sloth and an old man sharpening a stone to process meat / Drawing by Julia D’Oliveire