Research Reveals Early Humans Lived with Giant Sloths

New research indicates that humans may have arrived in the Americas as early as 27,000 years ago, living alongside giant ground sloths and other megafauna for thousands of years, challenging the long-held 'Clovis-first' theory which suggested a much later arrival. Archaeological findings at the Santa Elina site in Brazil reveal human-modified sloth bones, suggesting these ancient people intentionally crafted jewelry from fresh bones shortly after the animals' death. Researchers, including Mírian Pacheco from the University of São Paulo, have noted that the sloth fossils show signs of polishing and intentional alteration, indicating direct interactions between humans and these massive creatures. This discovery contradicts the notion of 'Pleistocene overkill,' which posited that humans quickly exterminated large animals upon arrival. Instead, it points to a more complex relationship where humans coexisted with giant sloths for at least 10,000 years without causing extinction. While debates on the timing and nature of early human migration continue, these findings reshape our understanding of prehistoric life in the Americas.