Monte Verde (archaeological site)

Monte Verde is an important archaeological site in southern Chile that provides evidence of human presence in the Americas around 14,800 years ago, well before the previously believed dates. Discovered in the 1970s, it includes well-preserved wooden structures, tools, and plant remains, indicating early, sustained occupation by humans. This challenges the idea that people only arrived in the Americas via land bridges from Asia much later, suggesting they may have traveled along the coast or by other routes. Monte Verde's findings have significantly reshaped understanding of the timing and pathways of human migration into the New World.