Sandweiss quoted in ScienceNews article, earliest New World settlers

Daniel Sandweiss, a professor of anthropology and Quaternary and climate studies at the University of Maine, was quoted in a ScienceNews article about earliest New World settlers.

Researchers have discovered 39 stone artifacts in Monte Verde, Chile, nine of which date to between at least 18,500 and 17,000. The discovery challenges a popular view in archaeology that people entered South America no earlier than 15,000 years ago.

The discoveries at Monte Verde point to a new kind of site that needs much more study to understand when people first reached the Americas, explained Sandweiss.

According to the article, four stone artifacts were found in the soil dating at least 25,000 years ago. But more evidence is needed to confirm that humans visited Monte Verde and other South American sites before 20,000 years ago, scientist says.