Archaeologists have discovered in Argentina evidence of human existence from ancient times. Well-preserved human remains approximately 40 years old have been discovered. These human bone remains are not only the oldest in Argentina, but may also be the oldest human remains discovered in South America.

The team of archaeologists led by Professor Carlos Ascher has discovered what is considered to be the oldest proof of human existence in Argentina. The discovery took place in Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca Province.

Prior to 40 000, a population lived between the Catamarque Northwest and part of Salt.

Existence frozen in time

It is not known how long they have stayed in the Argentine northwest, but their trails have been preserved in the desert more than 3500 over the sea. Antofagasta de la Sierra is almost 600 kilometers north of Catamarca. The climate is cold and dry with minimum temperatures below 0 ° C. These conditions were the prerequisite for keeping the remains very well. As frozen in time.

Archaeological works were extensive. Archaeologists have explored 4 kilometers of the upper part of the Punilla River in a small gorge known as Cacao. They focused on a cave in which there is a large number of works of art and various stone buildings. Two cut strands of hair and stone tools used for cutting and scraping were found at this location. In addition, copper earrings as well as parts of the skeleton (complete ribs and tooth remains) were found.

Prior to this discovery, the scientific community claimed that the earliest evidence of human existence in this area dates back to the 10 000 years. This discovery, however, offers a new view of the human population in this area and changes everything we thought we knew about South America. Verification of the age of skeletal remains was performed in two specialized laboratories in the USA (in Arizona and CAIS-UGA) using the radiocarbon method.

Jorge Martinez, an archaeologist at the National University of Tucumán and a scientist at the Higher Institute of Social Studies of CONICET, said:

"The oldest traces of human existence in Argentina have been found in the province of Buenos Aires and their age dates back to 14 years. The oldest human remains in Latin America were found in Piedra Furada (Brazil). These remains date back to 000 to 27 years. ”

But Martinez is convinced that the skeletal remains discovered in Brazil are very controversial. There is a contradiction with regard to how to determine their dating.

DNA tests reveal more

Martinez is looking forward to obtaining information about skeletal remains discovered in Argentina from DNA tests. Then it will be clear who these people were and what genetic line they belong to.

"The prevailing theory is that the people of America came from Asia across the Bering Strait, and it belongs to the four great genetic lines. We want to confirm or refute this opinion. We may also find that they have a completely different origin. "