Initial Human Colonization of the Americas, Redux

Abstract

The study of the peopling of the Americas has been transformed in the past decade by astonishing progress in paleogenomic research. Ancient genomes now show that Native American ancestors were formed in Siberia or the Amur region by admixture of ca. 15–30% Ancient North Eurasian genes with those of East Asians. The Anzick infant, buried with Clovis bifaces at 12,900 cal BP, belonged to a group that was ancestral to later Native Central and South Americans. Fishtail points, derived from Clovis, mark the arrival and rapid expansion of Clovis-descended Paleoindians across South America, also evident in the sharp increase of radiocarbon dates, continent-wide, at 13,000–12,500 cal BP. In both North and South America, extinction of most genera of megafauna was virtually simultaneous with Paleoindian expansion. Human hunting must have been involved, perhaps in concert with other indirect impacts. Contrary to the alternative bolide impact theory, there is no evidence of a dramatic human population decline after 12,800 cal BP. Ancient genomes show that divergent lithic traditions after 13,000 cal BP need not be attributed to a separate Pacific Rim migration stream. Several recent finds raise the possibility that pre-Clovis people might have reached the Americas before 20,000 cal BP, but these precursors must have either failed to thrive, or were ultimately replaced by proto-Clovis or Clovis people. Consilient paleogenomic and archaeological data indicate that initial colonization by Paleoindian ancestors of living Native Americans occurred after 14,500 cal BP.

Correcting Fiedel, Once Again: Monte Verde and the Peopling of South America

“…Fiedel’s (2022) recent article, which updates his views on the initial peopling of the Americas, continues to present misinformation on the Monte Verde site in Chile. We corrected his previous errors on the site (see Fiedel 1999; Dillehay et al 1999a, 1999b, 2002).…”

“…In his recent article, Fiedel claims that the artifacts at MV-II are poorly provenienced, including “three unprovenienced El Jobo-like bifaces [projectile points] (Fiedel 2022:17).” This is incorrect. Artifact proveniences are detailed in the 1997 tome and other publications.…”

“…Fiedel (2022: 14, 17) states that “the Monte Verde II “site” is a unique, bizarre congeries of gravel, wood and peat, within which lay a few indubitable but poorly provenienced stone tools.” A more accurate term to describe Monte Verde II (MV-II) is “extraordinary” for the wet geological conditions that preserved a wide range of organic remains rarely encountered archaeologically. (Fiedel erroneously states that the site is “near the sea”; it was at least 60 km away at the time of human occupation.)…”

“…In 1980, Michael Collins (1997), a well-known lithic expert, initiated his study of the site’s geo-archaeological context and lithic collection and later developed the lithic typology that we have continued to use. The so-called “cracked stones” at MV-II (Fiedel 2022: 17) are unifacial tools, many modified by edge-trimming and/or retouch, which are typical of several areas and time periods in South America (e.g., Bird et al 1985; Richardson 1978; Bryan 1986). In addition, there are more than seventy stones that are well-worked bifacially and unifacially and have clear bulbs of percussion and/or striking platforms (see Collins 1997; Dillehay et al 2015, 2019, 2021).…”

The Late Quaternary Megafaunal Extinctions in Worldwide Perspective – Review of Anthony J. Stuart. Vanished Giants: The Lost World of the Ice Age. 2021. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-22643-284-7. 310 pages, with 70 illustrations and 7 tables. List price $45 US (hardback).

“…Migration from neighboring Arctic regions of northern Eurasia is very unlikely. The issue of overkill in North America is still hotly debated (see Meltzer 2020), and it is related to the peopling of the Americas which is an even “hotter” subject when occasional clashes of personalities and the desire for funding mask the real picture (see recent review: Fiedel 2022).…”