Further+evidence

Moving from geology into physical anthropology, we find another indication that the first people could have come from the west. It is interesting to note that “recent cranial morphological studies of early human remains from various places in the Western Hemisphere suggest that the earliest South Americans may not be morphologically linked with northeastern Asians or Siberians. They may more closely resemble South Pacific and South Asian populations. At the same time, some genetic studies also suggest affinities between South American and South Asian populations as well as Asian populations in general” (Dillehay 2000:228). One additional piece of information can be added to this puzzle, it is one of ethnohistory: “Traditional leaders of some North American groups state that no matter what the archaeologists think, their stories and myths tell them that their people have always been in North America after emerging from the underworld. Many South American groups, on the other hand, see their ancestors as having come from the west, across the Pacific” (Dillehay 2000:292). The comparison of stone tools between Monte Verde and the closest contemporary site of North America, Nenana complex, shows a shift in technology. The problem is that the Monte Verde is at least 500 years earlier since the Nenanna complex, of central Alaska is dated between 12,000 BP and 11,000 BP (Neusius and Gross 2007:117).



The Monte Verde toolbox has a wide variety of different tools.



In the above picture, the round stone is known as a sling stone that would be used in hunting. There are no round stones in the Nenana or Denali Complex as the image displays. The sling stone is an effective way to hunt and herd animals in South America. It is interesting that this method did not disperse through North America, could this also be another indication that the first inhabitants of South America came from the west?

The Monte Verde stone tools vary in size while the Nenana or Denali tools are basically the same size. Reasons for this could be an aboundance of other material to use, a limitation on available stone or other reasons.

The Monte Verde site is unique due to the preservation of the artifacts and features. Based upon this excellent preservation, “wood was employed in the construction of two different types of structures found in two different site areas” (Moseley 2001:90). Two different reconstructions of the wood structures can be viewed here. The inhabitants of Monte Verde left indications that they separated the living spaces from a more ritualized area at the end of the camp (Dillehay 2000:164-166; Moseley 2001:90). Remains of mastodon bones, as well as medicinal herbs and plant remains from far locales indicate that this site was a home base (Dillehay 2000:164-167; Moseley 2001:90). How long did they live there? According to Dillehay, “The archaeological evidence suggests that the settlement was formed by a group of exploratory or incipient colonizers who lived in the Maullin River Basin, into which the Chinchihuapi Creek flows" (Dillehay 2000:167).

Conclusion