The OLDEST Artifacts in South America

By: Greg Schmalzel

How far back can we trace human history in South America truly go? Of course, it was once home to the well-known Inca, Maya, and Olmec civilizations of long ago, but what about the lesser-known people who preceded them? Though they lacked the megalithic architecture of those great ancient societies, they still left behind breadcrumbs of their existence. 

These people migrated throughout the continent, hunted along riverbanks, and crafted tools with skills honed over generations. They had lives with family gossip, feuds, and times of peace.  They lived in close-knit communities, adapting to landscapes as varied as deserts, mountains, and jungles. The role of the archaeologist is to decipher the lives of past people through their material remains, but when it comes to the earliest inhabitants of South America, we have only begun to scratch the surface.

There are two main reasons why we don’t have a firm grasp of who the first South Americans were and what their lives were like. First, the continent is a wild landscape. The Amazon Rainforest covers about 40% of South America, making many potential sites nearly impossible to access. Other areas, like those in and around the Andean region, are mountainous and rugged, posing additional obstacles for exploration.

Second, there’s the challenge of time itself. As centuries pass, the earth gradually reclaims what humans leave behind. Layers of soil accumulate, burying artifacts and structures, while erosion and weathering slowly degrade what remains. Although archaeologists are skilled in uncovering these hidden traces, each additional year deepens the challenge. Only recently have we begun to uncover the full depth of human history in South America, revealing that people have been here far longer than we once imagined - and the further back in time we explore, the smaller the sample size we have.

As magnificent as the grandiose pyramids and temples of South America are, they often distract us from the more primitive artifacts that are hidden under the ground. And it’s in these smaller finds that we can begin to unravel who the first South Americans were. So let’s dive into the oldest artifacts ever found in this ancient and expansive continent.

Watch the YouTube Video here: The OLDEST Artifacts in South America 

Ancient Medicine at Monte Verde                                                         

Pino, M., and Dillehay. T. 2023. “Monte Verde II: an assessment of new radiocarbon dates and their sedimentological context.” Antiquity 97(393):524-540.  

The 1970s marked a groundbreaking era for South American archaeology, with discoveries like Monte Verde reshaping our understanding of human antiquity in the Americas. As with many scientific revolutions, these findings initially faced skepticism. While healthy criticism is essential for scientific progress, outright dismissal of evidence can hinder the pursuit of truth.      

• Excavation Start: 1977, led by Tom Dillehay.
• Location: Chile, along Chinchihuapi Creek, a prime area for archaeological discovery due to proximity to water.  

Monte Verde comprises four sites: MV-I, MV-II, CH-I, and CH-II.    

Radiocarbon dating from these sites suggests human occupation as far back as 18,500 years ago, challenging the Clovis-first hypothesis, which posits the earliest Americans arrived 12,000–13,000 years ago.   

• MV-I:
  • Produced the oldest dates (15,000–18,500 years ago).
  • Artifacts: stone tools, burnt features, and bone fragments.
  • No structural remains; debated as a human-associated site. 

• MV-II:
  • Well-preserved, single-occupation site.
  • Evidence of structures, including a 18-meter-long tent-like shelter with a wood frame, reed cordage, and hide-lined floors.
  • Artifacts: stone tools, food remains (seaweed, tubers, nuts, berries), communal hearths, grinding stones, and human footprints.
  • Radiocarbon date: 14,550 years ago.

• CH-I and CH-II:
  • Artifacts: unifacial flakes, animal bones, and slingstones.
  • Radiocarbon date: approximately 14,500 years ago.

Here are the key artifacts from Monte Verde:

• Slingstones:
  • Ground andesite stones, typically egg-shaped.
  • Possibly used for hunting birds or another function due to lack of rope grooves.
• Seaweed:
  • Masticated plant remains identified nine species of marine algae and seaweed.
  • Nutritional benefits: rich in iodine, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese.
  • Non-edible species likely used for medicinal purposes, reflecting knowledge still valued by modern Indigenous groups.

Monte Verde's discoveries challenged the Clovis-first model, proving that South America’s earliest inhabitants were innovative and well-adapted to their environment. Artifacts and ecofacts highlight their advanced understanding of health, nutrition, and resource utilization. These early people exemplified human ingenuity, exploration, and adaptability, reshaping our perspective on pre-Clovis innovation.

This iconic site serves as a critical chapter in the story of human migration and survival, pushing the timeline of America's settlement further into the past.

Fishtail Projectile Points                                                    

Fishtail projectile points are a hallmark of South American archaeology, often considered the continent’s counterpart to the Clovis points of North America. While Clovis points are occasionally found in South America, they are predominantly a North American phenomenon. Fishtail points date to roughly 13,000 years ago and are among the continent’s earliest widespread cultural traits.

• Physical Features:
  • Distinctive flared base that splits into two lobes, giving a “fishtail” appearance.
  • Leaf-shaped blades with a broad midsection tapering to a sharp tip.
  • Made using pressure flaking, showcasing advanced craftsmanship.
• Materials:
  • Typically crafted from high-quality, locally available materials such as obsidian, chert, and silicates.
• Geographic Range:
  • Found across South America, from Colombia to Argentina, indicating widespread use by highly mobile hunter-gatherers.

Three main hypotheses explain the origins of Fishtail points and their relationship to Clovis technology:

Clovis Derivative:

• Fishtail points may represent a South American adaptation of Clovis technology, modified to address local environmental challenges.
• The presence of fluted bases in some Fishtail points supports this theory.

1. Independent Development:
   • Fishtail points may have developed independently, reflecting parallel innovation in stone tool technology.
2. Common Ancestor:
   • Both point types may have evolved from a shared ancestral technology, akin to divergent branches in biological evolution.

So what were they used for and what is their significance?

• Likely used for hunting megafauna, similar to Clovis points.
• Some researchers argue that Fishtail groups contributed to the extinction of South America’s megafauna, paralleling theories about Clovis people in North America.
• However, at least one archaeological site suggests a more nuanced relationship between ancient South Americans and megafauna, particularly those predating Fishtail cultures.

Fishtail points represent a fascinating intersection of technological innovation, adaptation, and ecological impact, offering a glimpse into the lives and migrations of South America’s earliest inhabitants.

Santa Elina Rock Shelter                        

Pansani, T., et al. 2023. “Evidence of artefacts made of giant sloth bones in central Brazil around the last glacial maximum.” Proceedings of the Royal Society B 290(2002).

Santa Elina, located on the Brazilian Plateau near the southern edge of the Amazon rainforest, is one of the most ancient and intriguing archaeological sites in South America. This rock shelter, carved into limestone, sits near the Pantanal wetland region, an ecosystem that would have been highly attractive to early humans due to its abundant resources.

• Geography:
  • Situated in Mato Grosso, Brazil, at the interface of rainforest, plateau, and wetland environments.
• Rock Shelter:
  • An open limestone overhang about 26 feet tall, offering protection and durability for human occupation.
  • Features ancient rock art on its walls, hinting at the site's prehistoric significance.

During the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, Santa Elina was cooler and drier than today, yet supported diverse habitats rich in megafauna, including species like the giant ground sloth Glossotherium. This variety of resources made it a prime location for human habitation.Excavations (1984–2004) revealed well-preserved, stratified soil layers, allowing researchers to establish clear chronological sequences. These deposits held numerous artifacts and bones that shed light on human activity at the site.

1. Upper Layers (11,742–1,689 years ago):
   • Typical limestone flakes with retouched edges, characteristic of tool-making traditions.
2. Deeper Layers (27,800–26,800 years ago):
   • Triangulated dating (radiocarbon, OSL, uranium-thorium) confirmed the age of these sediments.
   • Contained additional stone flakes and over 200 modified Glossotherium bones.

Among the most remarkable finds were three Glossotherium osteoderms (bony plates under the skin) with distinct modifications:

• Features:
  • Smooth, glossy surfaces and perforations with polished edges.
  • Evidence of intentional drilling, polishing, and wear patterns typical of Paleolithic ornaments.
• Interpretations:
  • Likely used as personal ornaments, possibly pendants.
  • Suggest a peaceful coexistence between humans and megafauna for thousands of years, challenging theories that humans were solely responsible for megafaunal extinctions. 

The combination of stratigraphy, dating methods, and artifact analysis supports the claim that humans occupied Santa Elina over 25,000 years ago. If validated, this would extend the timeline of human presence in the Americas significantly and reshape our understanding of prehistoric human-megafauna relationships.Santa Elina stands as a bold and controversial piece of evidence in the ongoing debate about early human migration and behavior in the Americas. Its findings compel archaeologists to rethink the interactions between humans and their environment during the Pleistocene, opening new questions about adaptation, coexistence, and cultural innovation. 

Non-Human Artifacts at Pedra Furada?              

Capuchin monkey using stone tools. 

Sources:

[1] Pino, M., and Dillehay. T. 2023. “Monte Verde II: an assessment of new radiocarbon dates and their sedimentological context.” Antiquity 97(393):524-540.

[2] Dillehay, T., et al. 2008. “Monte Verde: Seaweed, Food, Medicine, and the Peopling of South America.” Science 320, 784-786. 

[3] Suárez, R., and Cardillo, M. 2019. “Life History or Stylistic Variation? A Geometric Morphometric Method for Evaluation of Fishtail Point Variability.” Journal of Archaeological Science, Reports, 27:101997. 

[4] Prates, L., and Perez, S. 2021. “Late Pleistocene South American megafaunal extinctions associated with rise of Fishtail points and human population.” Nat. Commun. 12, 2175. 

[5] Vialou, D., et al. 2017. “Peopling South America’s centre: the late Pleistocene site of Santa Elina.” Antiquity 91(358):865-884. 

[6] Pansani, T., et al. 2023. “Evidence of artefacts made of giant sloth bones in central Brazil around the last glacial maximum.” Proceedings of the Royal Society B 290(2002)

[7] Guidon, N., and Delibrias, G. 1986. “Carbon-14 dates point to man in the Americas 32,000 years ago.” Nature 321, 769–771.

[8] Parenti, F., et al. 1990. “The oldest hearths of Pedra Furada, Brasil: Thermoluminescence Analysis of Heated Stones.” Current Research in the Pleistocene 7:36-38. 

[9] Guidon, N., et al. 2002. “Pedra Furada, Brazil: Paleoindians, Paintings and Paradoxes, an interview. Athena Publications.” Athena Review 3(2):42-52.  

[10] Agnolín, A., and Agnolín, F. 2023. “Holocene capuchin-monkey stone tool deposits shed doubts on the human origin of archeological sites from the Pleistocene of Brazil.” The Holocene 33(2):245-250.

[11] Haslam, M., et al. 2016. “Pre-Columbian monkey tools.” Curr Biol. 26(13):R521-R522.