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Archaeology

Arroyo Seco 2: Uncovering Early Human Presence in Argentina 14,000 Years Ago

by Rosa
written by Rosa

Evidence of Early Human Settlement in Argentina

Archaeological Discoveries at Arroyo Seco 2

For decades, the Clovis culture was believed to be the first group of humans to cross the Bering Land Bridge and settle in the Americas. However, recent evidence has challenged this notion, suggesting that humans may have arrived much earlier.

One of the most significant pieces of evidence comes from an excavation site in Argentina called Arroyo Seco 2. Located in the pampas outside the city of Tres Arroyos, this site has yielded a wealth of artifacts and animal remains that provide insights into human activity in the region thousands of years ago.

Stone Tools and Animal Bones

Archaeologists at Arroyo Seco 2 have uncovered over 50 stone tools made of chert and quartzite. These tools show signs of wear and tear consistent with scraping animal hides. The materials used to make the tools were not found locally, indicating that they were likely transported to the site by humans.

The site also contains thousands of animal bones, which have been carbon dated to between 14,064 and 13,068 years ago. Microscopic examination of the bones reveals fractures consistent with the use of stone tools, and most of the bones lack puncture marks left by carnivores.

Hunting and Processing of Extinct Animals

The animal bones found at Arroyo Seco 2 represent a diverse range of species, including many that are now extinct. These include two species of horse, giant armadillos, giant ground sloths, camels, and others.

The large animal remains, such as those of the giant sloths, lack skulls and pelvises, suggesting that the hunters butchered the animals at the kill site before transporting them to their camp. The sheer size of these animals would have made it challenging to transport entire carcasses.

Hunting Camp Hypothesis

While human remains have not been found at the site, the evidence suggests that Arroyo Seco 2 was likely a seasonal hunting camp for pre-Clovis people. The presence of stone tools, animal bones, and the lack of natural bone traps all point to human involvement.

Supporting Evidence from Other Sites

The findings at Arroyo Seco 2 are not isolated. Other archaeological sites in South America have yielded similar evidence of early human settlement. For example, archaeologist Tom Dillehay identified artifacts from a 14,000-year-old human settlement in Chile in the late 1970s.

Implications for Human Migration

The evidence from Arroyo Seco 2 and other sites challenges the traditional view of human migration to the Americas. It suggests that humans may have arrived in South America thousands of years earlier than previously thought, and that the Clovis culture was not the only group involved in the colonization of the continent.

Arroyo Seco 2’s Significance

The findings at Arroyo Seco 2 provide valuable insights into the expansion of Homo sapiens across the world. They indicate that humans were present in southern South America at least 14,000 years ago, and that they were skilled hunters and toolmakers who adapted to the unique environment of the pampas.

Ongoing Research

Archaeologists continue to excavate and study the Arroyo Seco 2 site, hoping to uncover further evidence of early human activity in the region. This research is helping us to understand the complex history of human migration and settlement in the Americas.

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Archaeology

Ancient Sheep Poop Uncovers Pre-Viking Settlement in the Faroe Islands

by Peter
written by Peter

Ancient Sheep Poop Reveals Pre-Viking Settlement in the Faroe Islands

The Arrival of the Celts

The Faroe Islands, located between Norway and Iceland in the North Atlantic, were once thought to have been first settled by Vikings around 850 C.E. However, recent research has uncovered evidence suggesting that the islands were inhabited centuries earlier by the Celts.

Analysis of ancient sheep feces found at the bottom of a lake on the island of Eysturoy revealed the presence of domesticated sheep between 492 and 512 C.E. This discovery, along with the absence of any signs of mammal life on the islands prior to the fifth century, indicates that the sheep must have been brought over by settlers.

Evidence from Charred Barley Grains

Further corroboration of a pre-Viking presence on the Faroe Islands comes from a 2013 study of charred barley grains discovered beneath the floor of a Viking longhouse on the island of Sandoy. These grains were dated to between 300 and 500 years before the arrival of Norse settlers in the region.

Other Possible Indications of Early Habitation

Medieval texts suggest that Irish monks may have reached the Faroe Islands in the early sixth century. Additionally, undated Celtic grave markers and place names have been found on the islands. Some experts have also speculated that the “Isle of the Blessed,” a site visited by Saint Brendan between 512 and 530 C.E., may have been located in the Faroes.

DNA Evidence

DNA analysis of modern Faroe Island residents shows that their paternal ancestry is mostly Scandinavian, while their maternal DNA is mainly British or Irish. This could be a sign of Vikings bringing non-Scandinavian women with them on their voyages or intermixing of the new arrivals with an existing Celtic-descended population.

Environmental Changes

The introduction of sheep to the Faroe Islands had a significant impact on the local environment. Analysis of sediment cores from the lake on Eysturoy shows that woody plants like willow, juniper, and birch disappeared around the time of the sheep’s arrival. These plants were replaced by grass-like, grazing-friendly vegetation.

Implications for Future Research

The discovery of pre-Viking settlement in the Faroe Islands opens up new avenues for research. Archaeologist Kevin Edwards of the University of Aberdeen suggests that future studies could focus on identifying the origins of the Celtic settlers and exploring their interactions with the Vikings who arrived later.

The Role of Long-Distance Sailing

The arrival of the Celts on the Faroe Islands demonstrates the importance of long-distance sailing in the exploration and settlement of new lands. Despite their well-earned reputation for seafaring, Scandinavians only adopted long-distance sailing between 750 and 820 C.E., later than some other Europeans.

Conclusion

The evidence presented in this article strongly suggests that the Faroe Islands were inhabited by the Celts centuries before the arrival of the Vikings. This discovery provides a fascinating glimpse into the complex history of human settlement in the North Atlantic and raises important questions about the interactions between different cultures in this remote region.

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Zoology

Canine Evolution and Human Migration: A Journey of Interdependence

by Peter
written by Peter

How Dogs and Humans Evolved and Migrated Together

Canine Evolution and Human Influence

Our close relationship with dogs dates back thousands of years, and recent DNA analysis has shed light on the significant role humans have played in shaping canine evolution. By domesticating wolves around 15,000 years ago, humans inadvertently influenced the genetic makeup of dogs, leading to the development of distinct lineages.

Migration and the Spread of Dogs

As ancient humans migrated across the globe, their canine companions often followed. In some cases, humans brought their dogs with them, introducing new lineages to different regions. In other cases, they adopted local dogs that were better adapted to the environment.

Genetic Evidence

By comparing the DNA of ancient dogs and humans from similar time periods and locations, researchers have been able to trace the evolutionary lineages of both species. This analysis has revealed that, by the end of the last ice age around 11,000 years ago, at least five distinct lineages of dogs existed in different parts of the world, including New Guinea, the Americas, northern Europe, the Near East, and Siberia.

Shared Ancestry

In some cases, humans and dogs shared ancestral origins. For example, dogs and humans that lived around 5,000 years ago in Sweden both originated in the Near East. This suggests that as agriculture expanded westward, some canine companions accompanied their human counterparts.

Local Adaptation

In other cases, human migrants adopted local dogs that were more acclimated to the region. For instance, farmers in Germany living 7,000 years ago originated in the Near East, but their dogs came from European and Siberian lineages. This indicates that humans sometimes acquired dogs that were better suited to their new environment.

The Impact of Geography

The geographic location of different human populations had a significant impact on the genetic makeup of their dogs. Dogs in northern Europe, for example, evolved to have thicker coats and larger body sizes to withstand the cold climate. In contrast, dogs in warmer climates developed smaller body sizes and shorter coats.

Modern Breeds and Ancient Lineages

The genetic diversity of ancient dogs has been preserved in modern breeds. Siberian huskies, for instance, carry DNA from the ancient lineage originating in Siberia. Similarly, chihuahuas have genetic roots in Mexico. By studying the DNA of modern breeds, researchers can trace the genetic history of dogs back thousands of years.

Complex Factors

The evolution and migration of dogs was not always a straightforward process. Sometimes, humans moved without bringing their dogs, while in other cases, dogs were traded between human groups. These complex factors contributed to the genetic diversity and distribution of dogs around the world.

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Anthropology and Archaeology

The Southern Route Out of Africa: Unraveling the Mysteries of Human Dispersal

by Rosa
written by Rosa

The Southern Route Out of Africa: Evidence and Controversies

Modern Humans’ Exodus from Africa

Modern humans evolved in Africa approximately 200,000 years ago. They eventually dispersed to populate the rest of the world. The most obvious exit route from Africa appears to be through northern Egypt, across the Sinai Peninsula, and into modern Israel and Jordan. However, recent research suggests that an alternative path, known as the southern route, may have also been viable.

The Southern Route Hypothesis

The southern route proposes that humans left Africa from the Horn of Africa, crossed the Red Sea, and entered southern Arabia. Genetic and archaeological evidence indicates that this route was a potential alternative to the northern course. Humans may have reached Asia between 80,000 and 60,000 years ago, eventually reaching Europe tens of thousands of years later.

Archaeological Evidence

In 2023, researchers discovered stone tools in the United Arab Emirates at an archaeological site called Jebel Faya, just 35 miles from the Persian Gulf. These tools, including hand axes and scrapers, were dated to 125,000 years ago. This finding suggests that early humans were present in southeastern Arabia much earlier than previously thought. However, it remains unclear whether these individuals explored further or remained in the area.

Geological Evidence

Geologists have also contributed to the understanding of the southern route. Arabia, now a vast desert, has experienced alternating cycles of desert and grassland throughout history. By studying the ancient environment, geologists have identified “windows of opportunities” when humans could have dispersed into Arabia while it was a hospitable savannah.

Deposits in southwestern Saudi Arabia indicate the presence of shallow, freshwater lakes in the region at 80,000, 100,000, and 125,000 years ago, suggesting a wetter climate. These favorable conditions would have supported human dispersal along the southern route into Asia.

The Red Sea Crossing

The Red Sea presents a significant obstacle to human dispersal from Africa to Arabia. However, like Arabia’s climate, the Red Sea has not remained static. Its sea level has fluctuated over time due to melting and formation of ice sheets and tectonic activity.

Studies of ancient sea-level records and sea floor topography reveal that there has never been a land bridge connecting Africa and southern Arabia in the past 400,000 years. However, during the last 150,000 years, there were periods when the channel separating the two landmasses was less than 2.5 miles wide.

With such narrow crossings, humans would not have required sophisticated boats or seafaring technology. Simple rafts would have sufficed. Furthermore, these favorable periods coincide with periods of hospitable environmental conditions in Arabia.

Remaining Questions and Future Research

Establishing the southern route as a well-established dispersal route for modern humans requires further research. Additional fossil and stone tool discoveries would provide valuable insights. However, archaeological research in the region from this time period is limited due to fieldwork challenges.

Despite these challenges, the converging evidence for the southern route may entice more archaeologists and paleoanthropologists to explore southern Arabia, following in the footsteps of our ancient ancestors.

Significance of the Southern Route

The southern route out of Africa represents an alternative pathway for human dispersal from the continent. Its viability suggests that early humans may have adapted to diverse environments and utilized various dispersal strategies to populate the globe.

Understanding the southern route also sheds light on the complexity of human migration patterns and the challenges faced by our ancestors as they ventured into new territories.

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