A burial in Patagonia along South America’s Atlantic coast is offering new clues about early human settlement. The peopling of the continent remains widely debated. Researchers have proposed several routes for how hunter-gatherers spread across South America.
Most evidence supports early movement along the Pacific coast. In contrast, the Atlantic coast has remained less understood, with fewer and younger archaeological sites. New findings from Patagonia now help address this gap.
Accidental discovery in Camarones
The burials were discovered in October 2020 in the coastal village of Camarones. A homeowner uncovered human bones while building a house during the COVID-19 pandemic. Police responded first and then alerted an archaeological team.
Excavation revealed two individuals, after researchers confirmed that remains initially thought to belong to three people were part of the same skeleton.
Dating the earliest burial evidence
Researchers estimate that one individual died at about 8 to 9 years of age, while the other was around 14. Radiocarbon dating places the remains between about 10,800 and 9,800 years ago. These dates push human presence in the region back by several thousand years.
A burial in Patagonia along South America’s Atlantic coast is rewriting the timeline of early human settlement.
Researchers uncovered remains dating back ~10,800–9,800 years ago—thousands of years earlier than expected. pic.twitter.com/zpZms3JKsH
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) April 29, 2026
Earlier evidence had suggested occupation beginning around 6,000 years ago. The discovery also builds on previous finds, including a burial dated to about 5,200 years ago in Patagonia, which until now marked one of the earliest known examples.
Signs of culture and rare features
The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, found no clear cause of death. The bones showed no signs of disease or injury. Researchers suggest the deaths may have resulted from infections that left no trace.
One individual had a rare dental feature known as a talon cusp, which has not been reported in such early remains in the Americas. The younger individual was buried with red ocher and about 50 beads made from bird bones, likely forming a long necklace. These elements point to symbolic or ritual practices.
Evidence of coastal life and settlement
Stable isotope analysis revealed that both individuals consumed marine food, with one relying more heavily on seafood. This shows that early groups actively used coastal resources.
Researchers also found that the burial site was reused within about 400 years. This suggests that communities returned to the same location over generations. The use of local materials, such as red ocher and bird bones, indicates strong knowledge of the environment.
Rethinking the Atlantic coast timeline
The findings suggest that early populations settled along South America’s Atlantic coast earlier than previously confirmed. Researchers say many earlier sites may have been lost due to rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age. The Camarones burials help fill this gap and point to a more complex pattern of human movement across the continent.
Future research and ongoing discoveries
Researchers plan further studies, including genetic analysis and a detailed examination of the burial materials. The site’s location within an urban area increases the chance of discoveries as construction continues. Each new find could help refine the timeline of early human settlement along the Atlantic coast of South America.
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