Early South American hunters primarily hunted megafauna, new study reveals
Early humans in South America relied heavily on megafauna like giant sloths for food, challenging climate change as the sole cause of their extinction.
Why it matters
- Shows early humans were skilled hunters of large animals, not just scavengers.
- Challenges the idea that climate change alone caused megafaunal extinctions.
- Highlights human impact on ecosystems even in prehistoric times.
By the numbers
- 20 archaeological sites analyzed.
- 15 sites had over 80% megafauna bones.
- Time range: 13,000 to 11,600 years ago.
The big picture
- Early humans in South America actively hunted megafauna.
- Human hunting likely contributed to megafaunal extinctions.
- Diet shifted to smaller animals after megafauna populations declined.
What they're saying
- One comment highlights the role of humans in the Late Pleistocene Extinction Event.
- Another comment reflects on how early hunting instincts might still influence us today.
- There is a sense of loss for extinct species like Macrauchenia and Glyptodonts.
Caveats
- Vegetation change, ecosystem dynamics, and climate change also influenced megafaunal declines.
- Study focuses on South America; may not apply globally.
What’s next
- Further research could explore human hunting impacts in other regions.
- Understanding early human diets could provide insights into human evolution.