Monte Verde
Overview
Monte Verde is an archaeological site located near Puerto Montt, Southern Chile, which has been dated to as early as 18,500 BC (20,500 years ago). This site is significant in the study of the Pre-Columbian history of the Americas, as it provides evidence of human habitation in the Americas that predates the widely accepted "Clovis culture."
Discovery and Excavation
The site was discovered in 1975 by Tom Dillehay, an American anthropologist. Initial excavations were conducted from 1977 to 1985, and then again from 1996 to 1998. The site is located in a peat bog that has preserved organic materials exceptionally well. This has allowed for a detailed analysis of the site and the artifacts found there, providing a unique insight into the lives of the people who lived there.
Artifacts and Structures
The site has yielded a wealth of artifacts, including stone tools, wooden and bone implements, and a child's footprint preserved in clay. The most significant findings, however, are the remains of twelve huts, which provide evidence of a semi-permanent settlement. These huts, made of local wood and covered in animal hides, are the earliest known dwellings in the Americas.
Dating
The dating of the site has been the subject of much debate. Initial radiocarbon dating suggested an age of 14,800 years, but this was later revised to 18,500 years after further analysis. This predates the Clovis culture, which was previously thought to represent the first human habitation of the Americas, by several thousand years.
Significance
The significance of Monte Verde lies in its challenge to the "Clovis first" theory, which held that the first inhabitants of the Americas were the Clovis people, who arrived around 13,000 years ago. The evidence from Monte Verde suggests that humans were present in the Americas much earlier, and that they had a far more complex and diverse culture than previously thought.
Controversy
Despite the evidence, the dating of Monte Verde has been controversial. Some researchers have questioned the accuracy of the dating methods used, while others have suggested that the site could have been contaminated by later inhabitants. However, the majority of the archaeological community now accepts the validity of the Monte Verde dates.